No. If the tools are out all the time, they lose their magic and blend into the chaos of everyday toys. The element of surprise and novelty is powerful, it sparks curiosity and shifts the brain’s focus, which is exactly what helps break the stress cycle during a meltdown. In brain science, this is called a state change: the unexpected moment interrupts the fight-or-flight response and opens the door for sensory regulation to take over. Keep the kit tucked away and bring it out only when it’s truly needed - that’s when it works best.

It’s completely up to you and your child’s unique needs. However, we suggest offering the entire kit and inviting your child to pick two or three toys that stand out to them in the moment. This approach empowers your child to make a choice, giving them a sense of control during what can feel like a chaotic time.

Sometimes, they might want the entire kit, and that’s okay too. Trust your instincts, observe how they engage with the toys, and adjust accordingly.

A helpful strategy is to hold back one or two items as a “surprise tool” for tougher moments. If the kit starts to feel stale after a few weeks or isn’t as effective during bigger meltdowns, introducing a new item can reignite their interest and provide fresh opportunities for engagement. If this happens, it may also be a good time to order a new Calming Kit.

It depends on your child’s age and current coping behaviors. If your child tends to bite, throw, or break items, they may need closer supervision while learning to regulate their emotions. Otherwise, if your child doesn’t typically engage in those behaviors and is of an appropriate age, distanced supervision with regular check-ins works well.

A simple, warm touchpoint like,

"Hey honey, how are you doing? Are you okay? Are you having fun?"

can help maintain a sense of connection and give you a chance to review the toys and ensure they’re being used appropriately.

Some of the items in the kit are sturdier than others. If your child is still developing emotional regulation skills, you might want to start with the more durable toys first. Once they become familiar with self-regulating through play and show signs of greater self-awareness, you can gradually introduce some of the more delicate items.

This approach allows them to build emotional regulation skills at their own pace while keeping the kit engaging and useful.

It depends entirely on your child, trust your instincts. You may want to introduce the kit before a meltdown if you can see the signs it's headed that way.

Otherwise, you might choose to offer it during a meltdown, as an element of surprise to help redirect their focus.

If you sense a moment when they might be responsive, try keeping it light and engaging:

"Hey, would you like to go pick a few toys from the Calming Kit to play with?"

Keeping it exciting and adventurous can encourage curiosity and make the tools feel like a fun choice rather than a forced intervention,

No, you’re not rewarding bad behavior, you’re giving your child tools to manage overwhelming emotions in a safe and empowering way.

Meltdowns aren’t about being “bad”; they’re a sign that your child’s nervous system is overloaded. The kit helps them learn to self-regulate through play and sensory engagement, which fosters emotional growth over time.

Think of it as handing them a lifeboat during a storm, you’re helping them navigate big emotions, not reinforcing negative behavior.

Approach the kit with excitement and joy to make it feel like an adventure rather than a reaction to big emotions.

Keep your tone light and playful when introducing it. For example, you could say:

“Let’s check out the magic kit together!”

“Do you want to explore the Calming Kit with me?”

Keeping it positive encourages curiosity and engagement, making it something they look forward to rather than something associated with stress.

It’s possible over time, especially if the kit is overused. To keep it fresh and effective:

Try not to offer it too frequently—save it for when it’s truly needed.

If your child starts losing interest, swap in hidden toys or introduce new ways to play with existing ones.

Consider ordering a new Calming Kit with a refresh of sensory toys to continue their emotional development.

This depends on your child and the situation.

During meltdowns, let them use the kit until they feel calm and regulated again.

For everyday play, shorter sessions help maintain the kit’s novelty and effectiveness.

Once they’re calm, gently transition them to another activity or a moment of connection with you.

Trust your instincts. While it’s wonderful to associate the kit with positive emotions, using it too often may take away some of its magic.

If your child asks for the kit when they’re calm, try gently redirecting them and keep it for moments of big emotions or overwhelm. The kit is most powerful when it feels special and connected to regulation.

To keep the magic alive:

• Hold back a couple of special items for those really tough moments
• Store the kit out of sight when it’s not in use (out of sight, out of mind! 😉).
  

If you think saying “no” will trigger a meltdown, it’s okay to offer just one or two toys instead of the whole kit. This keeps the experience supportive without losing the kit’s special purpose.This keeps the kit feeling fresh, exciting, and special when it’s truly needed.