{"product_id":"three-friends-inside-a-polyvagal-workbook-for-kids-ages-6-11-nervous-system-regulation-for-meltdowns-shutdown-big-feelings","title":"Three Friends Inside — A Polyvagal Workbook for Kids (Ages 6–11) | Nervous System Regulation for Meltdowns, Shutdown \u0026 Big Feelings","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhen a child melts down, shuts down, or \"can't just calm down,\" they are not being difficult. Their nervous system is doing exactly what it was built to do — and they don't yet have the words for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree Friends Inside\u003c\/strong\u003e gives a child those words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is a 37-page printable workbook that teaches children ages 6–11 the three states of their autonomic nervous system through three characters: \u003cstrong\u003eOtter\u003c\/strong\u003e (the calm, connected state — ventral vagal), \u003cstrong\u003eCheetah\u003c\/strong\u003e (the fight-or-flight state — sympathetic), and \u003cstrong\u003eHedgehog\u003c\/strong\u003e (the shutdown state — dorsal vagal). Every page is informed by the work of Stephen W. Porges, PhD and Deb Dana, LCSW, translated into language a child can actually use in their body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the workbook teaches the child to do\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMap first, regulate second. Before any breathing exercise or coping skill, the child learns to \u003cem\u003enotice which friend is visiting\u003c\/em\u003e — where in their body, what it feels like, what color it is. Naming the state is the regulation. This is the same map adult polyvagal workbooks use, built for a six-year-old's vocabulary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInside (37 pages, 5 parts + clinician notes)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart 1 — Meet Your Three Friends.\u003c\/strong\u003e A character-led introduction to each nervous system state. No clinical jargon. No \"good\" or \"bad\" friend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart 2 — Notice Your Friends.\u003c\/strong\u003e Body-mapping pages where the child marks where Otter, Cheetah, and Hedgehog live in their body — the same interoceptive skill taught to adults, scaffolded for kids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart 3 — The Window of Calm.\u003c\/strong\u003e A child-sized version of the Window of Tolerance. Too big. Too small. Just right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart 4 — Friend Tools.\u003c\/strong\u003e Eighteen practices grouped by which friend they help: \u003cem\u003eEye Hello\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eShared Hum\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHand on Heart\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCozy Wrap\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eStory Voice\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSoft Pet\u003c\/em\u003e (for Otter); \u003cem\u003eCheetah Shake\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWall Push\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eStomp Walk\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBig Squeeze\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eRun in Place\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLoud Roar\u003c\/em\u003e (for Cheetah); \u003cem\u003eFoot Press\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSlow Sip\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHum Low\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eName 3\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCool Cloth\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCurl and Uncurl\u003c\/em\u003e (for Hedgehog). Each practice includes a four-step visual sequence and a one-line note for the adult co-regulator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePart 5 — Track and Grow.\u003c\/strong\u003e A weekly tracker so the child can notice which friend visits most — building the meta-awareness that drives long-term regulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrown-Up Notes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Four clinician-grade pages for the adult: how to use the workbook in session, how to prescribe practices between sessions, a short script for what to say when each state shows up, and a list of phrases to avoid (\"calm down,\" \"you're fine,\" \"stop it\" — phrases that ask a child to override their nervous system rather than partner with it).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eParents whose child has meltdowns, freezes, hides, or \"can't explain what's wrong.\" Therapists, LCSWs, school counselors, and OTs who need a child-friendly polyvagal scaffold for session work and between-session homework. Foster and adoptive parents working with trauma-impacted kids. Homeschooling families building emotional literacy into the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you receive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e37-page printable PDF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOriginal illustrations of Otter, Cheetah, and Hedgehog throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult guidance pages with citations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstant download — no shipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCitations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003ePorges, S. W. (2011). \u003cem\u003eThe Polyvagal Theory.\u003c\/em\u003e W. W. Norton. Dana, D. (2018). \u003cem\u003eThe Polyvagal Theory in Therapy.\u003c\/em\u003e W. W. Norton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis workbook does not replace therapy. It is a structured tool for use alongside the adults already supporting a child's nervous system.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Therapy Workbook Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57318676234617,"sku":null,"price":34.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0961\/7332\/6713\/files\/05_card_dual_use_parent_clinician_98f93f96-36e7-430b-a70f-99fbea212f48.png?v=1779465388","url":"https:\/\/therapyworkbookpress.com\/products\/three-friends-inside-a-polyvagal-workbook-for-kids-ages-6-11-nervous-system-regulation-for-meltdowns-shutdown-big-feelings","provider":"Therapy Workbook Press","version":"1.0","type":"link"}