You may be familiar with the terms self-regulation and emotional regulation, but have you ever heard of sensory regulation? If you haven’t, you may not realize that regulating sensory information plays a part in helping us manage our emotions, helps us engage in goal-oriented tasks, and supports our ability to cultivate meaningful relationships. This happens because your thoughts, emotions, and the sensations you physically experience, all work together to help you adapt and respond appropriately to daily situations.

Some children struggle to regulate themselves during their daily activities. This can show up as hyperactivity, inattention, impulsive decision making, strong emotional reactions, and a lack of social awareness. Parents, teachers, and adults alike can feel frustrated and at a loss when it comes to addressing these concerns. Finding the right tools to help children learn self-regulation skills is crucial to their developmental growth.

Zoey and Her Amazing Energy Bubble was written to help children understand how their thoughts, emotions, and felt sensations cause their energy levels to change. Zoey’s Grandma Rosie, teaches Zoey and her brother Milo about energy bubbles, which change in size and color. They learn about how the size of their energy bubble can cause other people to feel a certain way when they are around them, especially when the bubble gets very big. Grandma Rosie then teaches them about the energy bubble dial, which can be used to make their energy bubble smaller or bigger, depending on the situation.

Giving simple context to this complex human experience will help promote healthy self-expression, communication, and connection for all.