01/09/2025
Welcome to the first episode of Cat-alyst!
Where psychology meets play, nervous system science meets sparkle, and we decode what actually works — especially for neurodivergent kids.
Let’s talk about big feelings, tiny bodies, and the real tools that help.
When a child is overwhelmed, it’s not a behaviour issue.
It’s a nervous system responding to threat — and sometimes the threat is a classroom, a demand, or a world that wasn’t built for them.
Their logic brain goes offline. Their body takes over.
That’s why in our sessions, we don’t start with words.
We start with movement and breath — because those are the fastest ways back to safety.
💡 Science says:
- Crossing the midline (like yoga, crawling, or rolling) builds communication between the two sides of the brain. This supports focus, coordination, and emotional regulation.
- A coordinated movement study showed a 117% increase in literacy scores and major improvements in behaviour.
- In Sweden, researchers found that just one hour of extra physical activity per day at age 11 led to 35% less depression and 12% fewer psychiatric diagnoses by age 18.
Breath is a built-in superpower: Breathing isn’t just calming. It’s neurological first aid.
💡 Science says:
- Slow, rhythmic breathing activates the vagus nerve, helping the body shift into rest-and-restore mode.
- Daily breathwork improves emotional control and lowers anxiety in children, especially when done in playful, familiar ways.
That’s why we blow bubbles.
Do “dragon breaths.”
Smell imaginary flowers.
It’s not fluff. It’s regulation training in disguise.
Co-regulation comes first:
💡 Science says:
- Children’s nervous systems co-regulate with the adults around them.
- Labeling emotions and staying connected is more effective than logic or discipline in the heat of the moment.
So in our sessions, you’ll hear:
“Let’s breathe together.”
“That was a big moment. I’ve got you.”
“It’s okay to feel what you feel.”
Because the goal isn’t control. It’s connection.
And from there, kids learn that big feelings don’t have to be scary. They’re just signals. And they pass.
The most powerful intervention we have is still a calm, safe adult. We meet kids where they’re at — and offer the tools to feel it all, safely and skillfully.
Looking for more resources or professional development?Explore tools, trainings, and real-world regulation strategies at:
👉 mindbubbles.com.au
👉 sparklyaliens.com
Crowns On. Hearts Open. SparklyAF.
🌈 Shared in collaboration — original learning points by Cat, reframed through our two wings: HEART & EMPOWER.
