
A Little Help From My Furry Friends
Use this interactive activity to see all of the ways that friends can help through tough times.
Invite kids to choose a Muppet to help them, and watch what he or she does in the video. Kids can watch the video several times. After watching the video—or anytime at all—help kids use that general strategy in their own lives. For instance:
- Count: “Elmo likes counting. Let’s count to ten together. Now let’s count backward! Can you take one deep breath for each number?”
- Imagine: “Let’s imagine, like Bert. Where would you like to be right now? Let’s close our eyes and imagine it. What do you see?”
- Hug: “Rosita loves hugs. Can I give you a big hug?”
- Move: “Grover likes to move around to take a break from his feelings sometimes. Let’s wiggle our fingers a little. Now our heads…and arms…and now our whole bodies!”
- Listen: “Zoe listens carefully. Let’s close our eyes. What do you hear? What is making that sound? Let’s keep listening with our eyes closed.”
- Notice: “Abby’s watching bubbles. What do you notice around us right now? Let’s slow down and watch and notice how things around us are moving or changing.”

Bubble Time
A quiet activity such as blowing bubbles can help both children and adults breathe deeply, slow down… and calm down.

Safe & Together
When families have to leave home in order to stay safe, it helps to remember that home is where the love is.

Listen, Feel, and See with Elmo
When children are in the hospital, this mindfulness game can help them soothe themselves.

Using Your Words
A coloring page helping children explore words for big feelings.

Cookie Monster’s Beach Day
When children are in the hospital, their imagination can become a valuable tool in soothing themselves.

Monster Meltdown
Meltdowns happen… but they are somewhat predictable! As you try to handle them, curiosity and patience go a long way.

Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.