About this episode

The episode discusses how to help elementary-age kids understand their emotions and nervous systems with insights from Alyssa Campbell's book.

Ryan Alford sits down with Alyssa Campbell, author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, for a practical conversation about helping elementary-age kids understand their emotions, nervous systems, and behavior. Alyssa explains why children can often explain what they should have done after a meltdown, but still struggle to use those tools before the emotional build-up takes over. The episode explores the nine-sense nervous system framework, including sensory sensitivity, interoception, proprioception, vestibular input, and neuroception. Ryan asks the parent and school questions many adults are thinking, especially how these ideas work in real classrooms and homes where time, resources, and attention are stretched. Alyssa also explains why emotional regulation is not about removing hard things from kids’ lives. It is about helping them recognize what is happening inside their bodies, move through difficult feelings, and build the resilience they need for real life. Topics Covered Alyssa Campbell’s book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings Nervous system regulation for kids ages 5–12 The nine senses and how they affect behavior Sensory sensitivity, anxiety, and emotional overload Behavior support…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Alford

Guest: Alyssa Campbell

Topics covered

• emotional regulation
• nervous system
• children's behavior
• parenting
• resilience
• emotional intelligence

Keywords

• nervous system
• emotional regulation
• children's emotions
• sensory sensitivity
• behavior support
• meltdowns
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Big Kids, Bigger Feelings

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