Small Wonders

Let’s Talk About Polyvagal Theory…

I’ll be really honest, when I first heard the term Polyvagal Theory, it sounded a bit complicated!
But the more I’ve learned about it, the more I’ve realised it’s simply a way of understanding why we react the way we do when we feel safe, worried, overwhelmed, anxious or disconnected.
As parents, we’ve all had those moments when our child seems to go from calm to meltdown in seconds or completely shuts down and doesn’t want to talk. It can leave us wondering, “What’s going on?”

Polyvagal Theory helps us understand that children’s behaviours are often their nervous system’s way of communicating how safe (or unsafe) they are feeling.
It’s not about children being naughty, difficult or attention-seeking.
It’s about understanding what their body and brain might be trying to tell us.

I use this understanding a lot in my work because it helps me see behaviour through a lens of curiosity and compassion rather than judgement.

I’d love to know…
❓ Have you heard of Polyvagal Theory before?
❓ Is there anything about children’s emotions, anxiety, behaviour or regulation that you’ve always wondered about?

Pop your questions below and I’ll answer them over the next few days.

No jargon. No silly questions. Just a friendly chat. 😊

SmallWonders

Summer Transition Support Package

Is your child feeling worried about starting a new school, moving to secondary school or facing a big change this September?
Transitions can bring excitement but they can also bring worries, uncertainty and a loss of confidence.

At Small Wonders, I offer gentle, creative emotional wellbeing support to help children feel more prepared for the changes ahead.

Summer Holiday Special
3 x 45-minute one-to-one sessions for just £99
Together we will:
•Explore worries and concerns about upcoming changes
•Build confidence and emotional resilience
•Identify strengths and coping strategies
•Use creative activities, including Drawing & Talking techniques and sand tray work
•Help your child feel calmer and more prepared for their next step

This little package is ideal for children who are:
🎒 Starting school
🎒 Moving to a new class
🎒 Transitioning to secondary school
🎒 Feeling anxious about change

A safe, nurturing space where children can explore their feelings and build confidence for the future.

Limited summer holiday spaces available.
Get in touch with me today to book your place.
📧 [email protected]

Summer Transition Support Package
3 x 45-minute sessions
£99
Helping children to move forward with confidence. 🧡

I always think Sundays have a different feel to them.
For me, they’re a chance to slow down a bit, have a coffee, catch my breath and prepare myself for the week ahead.

Sometimes I find myself thinking about the week that’s just gone, the good moments, the challenges, the things I’ve learned and the things I’m still working on 😅
Other times, I just enjoy being present and taking things at a slower pace.

If you’re reading this today, here’s your little reminder that it’s okay to rest and it’s okay to have a quiet day.
So today, I’m choosing to be kind to myself and appreciate the little things.

What about you? What’s one small thing that’s brought you joy this weekend?

If you’re worried about your child or you’ve noticed they seem anxious, withdrawn, overwhelmed or struggling with their emotions, please feel free to send me a message. I’d be happy to have a friendly, no-obligation chat about how I could help.

Caroline

Small Wonders Emotional Wellbeing Support

Sometimes taking the first step is simply asking a question. If you’re curious about emotional wellbeing support, my inbox is always open.
📧 [email protected]

Here’s a little glimpse into the world of sand tray therapy.
One of the things I find fascinating about sand tray therapy is how children just naturally choose the figures that feel important to them.
This tray is full of powerful characters, fierce dinosaurs, dragons, superheroes and a strong lion standing right in the middle.
To someone looking in from the outside, it might simply look like a collection of toys.
But in sand tray work, every figure has the potential to represent something meaningful. Strength. Courage. Protection. Challenges. Friendships. Fears. Hopes. Adventures.

The beauty of sand tray therapy is that children don’t have to explain everything with words. They can communicate through the world they create in the sand, often sharing thoughts and feelings that might otherwise stay hidden.
I never tell a child what their tray means. Instead, I gently wonder alongside them and give them space to explore their own story.

Every tray is unique because every child is unique.
That’s one of the reasons I love this work so much. 🧡
If you’re worried about your child or you’d like to know more about how sand tray therapy works, please feel free to send me a message. I’d love to chat.

Caroline
Small Wonders Emotional Wellbeing Support

📧 [email protected]

As we begin to think about the summer holidays, my thoughts are turning to the Year 6 children who will be starting secondary school in September.

It’s such an exciting milestone, but I know from working with children and families that it can also bring a whole mix of emotions.

Some children can’t wait for the independence, new subjects and the opportunities ahead. Others may be feeling worried about making friends, finding their way around a bigger school, coping with new expectations or leaving the people and places that have felt safe and familiar for so many years.

What I often find is that children don’t always talk openly about these worries. Sometimes they come out in different ways: changes in behaviour, difficulty sleeping, becoming quieter than usual or appearing more emotional.

That’s why I believe it’s so important that we prioritise our Year 6 children as September approaches.

Alongside buying uniforms and organising school bags, I encourage parents, carers and schools to make time for conversations about feelings too. A simple chat, a listening ear or an opportunity to share worries can make a huge difference.

This transition is about so much more than moving schools. It’s about helping children feel confident, secure and ready for the next chapter of their lives.

Every child will experience this change differently but every child deserves to feel heard, supported and understood.

As someone who is passionate about children’s emotional wellbeing, I’ll continue to champion the importance of supporting children through these big life transitions. Sometimes knowing that someone is there to listen can make all the difference.

If your child is feeling anxious about starting secondary school or if you’d like some support to help them navigate this transition, I’d love to help. Feel free to message me or email me at [email protected] to find out more about the emotional wellbeing support I offer.

How is your child feeling about September? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

I often talk with children about their “emotional buckets” and how the things we say and do can either fill them up or empty them.
The lovely thing about this idea is that it’s easy for children to understand but it’s something adults can relate to as well.
When we spend quality time together, listen without distraction, offer encouragement, show kindness or simply let someone know they’re important to us, we’re helping to fill their bucket.
Life can be busy and challenging and none of us get it right all the time. But small moments of connection really do matter.

This week, why not try this simple family challenge:

Ask each family member, “What filled your bucket today?”
Share one thing you did to fill someone else’s bucket.
Notice how those little acts of kindness add up.
I’d love to hear what fills your bucket or what little acts of kindness make a difference in your family.

People often ask me why I started Small Wonders.
After working with children and families for more than 25 years, I saw first-hand how many children were carrying worries, anxieties and big feelings without having the right support to help them process them.
That’s why I created Small Wonders.
I wanted to offer a safe, nurturing space where children, young people and adults could feel listened to, understood and supported.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing someone begin to feel more confident, more settled and more able to understand their emotions.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me to be part of that journey.🧡

Not all children can tell you when they’re struggling emotionally.
They don’t always say, “I’m feeling anxious” or “I’m finding things hard.”
Instead, you might notice changes in their behaviour. They may seem more angry, withdrawn, tearful or worried. They might struggle with friendships, confidence or sleep.
Over the years, I’ve learned that behaviour is often a child’s way of communicating something they don’t yet have the words to express.
Through Drawing & Talking and Sand Tray Therapy, I offer children a safe, supportive space where they can explore their feelings in a way that feels comfortable for them.

If you’re worried about your child or would like to know more about how I can help, please feel free to get in touch via my link.

🔗 linktr.ee/caroline.smallwonders

🧡 Caroline
Small Wonders

As parents, we often tell ourselves:

“It’s probably just a phase.”
“They’ll be okay.”
“Let’s see how things go.”
Sometimes that’s true. But sometimes children are quietly carrying worries, fears, sadness or frustration that they don’t know how to express.
You don’t have to wait until a child is in crisis before seeking support. In fact, early support can make a huge difference.
Drawing & Talking provides children with a safe outlet to process feelings before they become overwhelming. It helps children build emotional awareness, confidence, resilience and coping skills that can support them both now and in the future.

If you’ve had a little voice in your head wondering whether your child might benefit from some extra emotional support, trust that instinct.

Reach out today for a friendly, no-pressure chat. Together we can explore whether Drawing & Talking could be the right next step for your child.

📩 [email protected]
🔗 linktr.ee/caroline.smallwonders