How Emotion Toys Support Gentle Parenting
Want to know more about gentle parenting but don’t know where to start? Call us your parenting guide! In this blog, we’ll bust the myths around gentle parenting and find out how emotion toys can help you support your child’s wellbeing and development in a soft and caring manner.
What is gentle parenting?
- Instead of saying, “Stop crying, there’s nothing to be upset about,” a gentle parent might say, “I can see you’re feeling sad. Let’s take a moment together to calm down.”
- Discipline in gentle parenting isn’t about punishment, but about teaching, helping children understand the impact of their actions and learn better choices for next time.
What are emotion toys and how do they help?
Emotion toys, also known as emotional support toys, are designed to help children recognise, process, and express their feelings. These toys might include fidget toys, plush comforters, rag dolls, or mindfulness kits.
Here’s how they work:
- Comfort & security: Soft toys and plushies act as a safe companion, helping children self-soothe in stressful situations.
- Expression: Dolls and role-play toys allow children to “act out” feelings and scenarios they may not have words for yet.
- Focus & calm: Fidget toys like stress balls and squishy toys provide a physical outlet for anxiety and help regulate emotions.
- Mindfulness: Kits that encourage breathing or creative expression introduce children to simple coping techniques that can last a lifetime.
By incorporating emotion toys into daily routines, parents can make gentle parenting principles easier to practice, giving children tools to manage big emotions without overwhelming them.
Our Favourite Emotion Toys
Let's take a peek at some of our best emotion toys to help you parent gently and support your little one’s emotional wellbeing and development.
Mindful Toys
Dolls
Plush & Soft Toys
More Parenting Tips & Toy Recommendations
In summary, gentle parenting isn’t about letting children do whatever they want, it’s about guiding them with kindness, understanding, and respect. And with the right tools, like emotion toys, it becomes much easier to help children regulate emotions, build resilience, and develop empathy.
Explore more parenting tips and toys to help with your tot's emotional, physical and cognitive development on our blog.