Help Kids Manage Big Emotions
Practical tools for parents and educators to support emotional regulation and strengthen connection
Guided by Leading Scientists in Children’s Emotional Development
Walden Wise resources are shaped in collaboration with nationally recognized experts in psychology and neuroscience.
Guided by Dr. Mitch Prinstein’s research on peer relationships, social status, and adolescent mental health, we co-developed A Caring Adult’s Guide to Nurturing Authentic Relationships with Teens, translating his body of work into clear, practical guidance for adults supporting teens.
“It’s time for a new approach to helping youth build emotional health and resilience. Walden Wise brings science into everyday care.”
Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., ABPP
Parent, Scientist & Author CoCreator, Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
FREE SCIENCE-BASED RESOURCES
Where do you want to start?
Pick the path that has where you are right now. Everything is free.
UNDERSTAND
What is my child actually feeling right now?
When kids cannot name what they are feeling, big emotions take over. The Emotion Navigator helps you recognize what is happening inside your child and gives you the words to talk about it together.
EXPLORE
I want tools I can use with my child today.
The Conversation Starters guide gives you 13 research-backed prompts to open real conversations with the kids in your life at dinner, in the car, or any quiet moment you can find.
Worried About Your Child’s Emotions or Behavior?
You’re Not Alone
Many parents and teachers are looking for clear ways to help children manage big emotions, build resilience, and grow emotionally healthy. You may find yourself worrying about your child’s emotional regulation, wondering why small moments escalate so quickly, or questioning whether you’re doing enough to support healthy child development.
Steady, Research-Informed Tools for Everyday Life
Conflicting advice and quick fixes only add to the pressure. What caring adults truly need are steady, research-informed tools that help children navigate big feelings while strengthening parent-child connection in everyday life.
Science-Backed Support for Every Caring Adult
Walden Wise equips parents, teachers, grandparents, and child-serving professionals with practical strategies grounded in emotional development science. Our resources help you respond to overwhelm with calm, guide emotional regulation with confidence, and nurture resilience over time.
Built around three guiding practices, our work brings together researchers and caring adults just like you to turn emotional health science into meaningful action that makes a lasting difference.
We tackle these challenges every month.
Built around three guiding practices, our work brings together researchers and caring adults just like you to turn emotional health science into meaningful action that makes a lasting difference.
Our Three Guiding Practices
Walden Wise creates science-based resources that help parents, educators, and caregivers support children’s emotional health in everyday moments.
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Honor Multifaceted Identities
Help kids build self-awareness, confidence, and a strong sense of identity.
In practice: children feel seen as whole people.
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Nurture Authentic Relationships
Strengthen connection with children through trust, belonging, and everyday emotional support.
In practice: children build trust through steady, caring relationships. -
Scaffold Emotional Health
Support kids as they learn to name emotions, manage big feelings, and build emotional skills over time.
In practice: emotional health is built through small, supported moments over time.
THE COCREATOR COLLECTION
More free resources for you and your child
Science made practical. Every resource free and built for life.
eBook
Eustress Empowered: Embracing the U Curve
Not all stress is bad. Learn how to help your child find the sweet spot where challenge becomes growth.
Practice Guide
How Am I Really Feeling?
Why naming emotions is harder than it sounds — and three adult practices that make it easier for kids
Printable Cards
Big Emotion Cards
12 printable cards covering Anger, Calm, Joy, Worry and more — each with talking points to open the conversation.
Starter Kit
CoCreator Starter Kit
New here and not sure where to begin? This curated kit is your starting point — chosen to give you confidence fast.
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When big emotions take over, kids often need connection before correction. Naming what they are feeling and responding with steady validation can help their nervous system settle and make emotional regulation possible.
Explore The Power of Validating Children’s Emotions for practical language and steps you can use in the moment.
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Children’s brains are still developing the systems that support emotional regulation and impulse control. Big feelings can flood their nervous system quickly, which is why reactions may seem outsized or sudden.
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Every parent has moments they wish they could redo. Repairing after yelling or losing patience is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and strengthen parent-child connection.
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Strong emotional health grows through small, consistent moments of connection. Simple conversation prompts and shared reflection can deepen trust and help children feel understood.
Build Emotional Confidence, One Practice Letter at a Time.
Research-based strategies for emotional regulation and child development.
You will receive ready-to-use tools and guidance created with researchers and experienced parents and teachers. So you do not have to spend time searching or planning, and can focus on being present with the kids you care about.
Each email is short, practical, and designed to be used right away. No overwhelm. No fluff. Just support you can trust.
Want to see what’s inside first? →
Walden Wise
Science-based, plain-language resources that help adults support children’s emotional health in everyday moments.
Start Here
CoCreator Starter Kit
Our Guiding Practices
Meet Our Experts (Science)
Take Our Quiz (/quiz)
Practice Letter (archive)
Identity Tree
Mealtime Conversation Guide (mealtime-conversations-pinterest)
Create Your Super Hero (/superhero)
Calm Parenting (from-triggered-to-thoughtful)
Supporting teens
(Nurturing Authentic Relationships with Teens)
Naming feelings
(How Am I Really Feeling)
After I react badly
(When Adults Get It Wrong)
When the brain is overwhelmed
(Growing Minds Lab)
Common Moments I feel overwhelmed
(Triggered to Thoughtful)
Hands-on Activities
Brain Mistakes