Big Feelings Bay
WELCOME TO
A little ocean full of big feelings.
Here in Big Feelings Bay, every feeling is okay.
Come meet the friends of the Bay as they learn about feelings, friendship, courage, kindness, and what to do when life feels a little too big.
Through gentle stories and simple emotional-learning tools, children discover that every feeling has something to tell us—and no feeling lasts forever.
Little children have big feelings, too.
A SAFE PLACE FOR BIG FEELINGS
Big Feelings Bay is a gentle social-emotional learning world created to help young children understand what is happening inside them.
Through simple stories, lovable characters, and age-appropriate language, children begin to notice their bodies, name their feelings, ask for help, practice calming strategies, and discover that hard moments don't last forever.
But Big Feelings Bay isn't about teaching children not to have big feelings.
It's about helping them learn:
“I can have a big feeling, and someone will stay with me while I figure out what I need.”
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What is my body telling me?
NOTICE
What am I feeling?
NAME
Who can stay with me?
CONNECT
What might help my body?
REGULATE
What can I try?
LEARN
I'm ready when I'm ready.
TRY AGAIN
The goal isn't perfect behavior.
The goal is helping children understand themselves.
Every friend in Big Feelings Bay is learning something,
just like we are.
Big feelings bay
Meet Our Friends
Some feelings come out loud.
Some get very quiet. Some friends need a little space, some need a little help,
and some just need someone to stay nearby.
There isn't one right way to have a feeling—and that's exactly what makes the Bay such a wonderful place to learn together.
SAFE GROWN-UPS
A calm, steady grown-up who helps everyone slow down and feel safe.
Miss Shelly Seal
Teacher
I’m here to help you pause, breathe, and remember you’re not alone with your big feelings.
A gentle guide who helps turn tricky moments into chances to learn together.
Miss Coral Seahorse
Teacher's Aide
I’m learning right alongside you—and we can figure this out together, one small step at a time.
SAFE GROWN-UPS
Ms. Shelly Seal
A calm, steady grown-up who helps everyone slow down and feel safe.
Ms. Coral Seahorse
A gentle guide who helps turn tricky moments into chances to learn together.
I’m here to help you pause, breathe, and remember you’re not alone.
I’m learning right alongside you—and we can figure this out together.
THE CREW
Ollie
Ollie has a very busy mind and sometimes everything feels like too much at once.
Finn
Finn is curious and playful, but sometimes trying something new feels a little scary.
Tilly
Tilly likes to take her time and think things through before she jumps in.
I’m learning to pause, notice my body, and take one thing at a time.
I’m learning that I can feel nervous and still try when I’m ready.
I’m learning that going slowly is okay—and asking for help is brave.
Wally
Wally has a very big heart—and sometimes some very big feelings to go with it.
I’m learning that big feelings can come and go, just like waves.
“Same friends. Same situations. Different feelings. And that is okay."
There’s room for every kind of friend in Big Feelings Bay.
Daisy
Daisy is a warm, friendly dolphin who loves being with others and often notices when a friend might need a little kindness.
I’m learning to use kind words, listen, and stay connected.
Sunny
Sunny brings lots of energy to the Bay and likes looking for what might help next.
I’m learning that hard moments can change—and I can try again.
Stories from the Bay
STORY TIME
Little stories for the moments that feel big.
Each story in Big Feelings Bay begins with something children already know—a frustrating moment, a worried thought, a friendship problem, too much to do, or a feeling that suddenly feels enormous.
Then we slow it down together.
Through gentle storytelling, children learn to notice what is happening in their bodies, name what they might be feeling, connect with someone safe, and practice a simple skill they can use in their own lives.
BIG FEELINGS BAY · STORY #1
Ollie Has Too Much to Do
Ollie has so much to do that his thoughts start racing and everything feels like too much. With a little support, he learns that he doesn't have to solve everything at once. Sometimes the first step is simply to pause, breathe, and choose one thing.
WE'RE PRACTICING
Noticing overwhelm · Pausing · Breathing · Taking one thing at a time · Trying again
More stories are coming to the Bay.
New friends, new feelings, and lots more chances to learn together.
What Children Learn Here
LITTLE SKILLS THAT GROW WITH THEM
Big Feelings Bay helps children build the language and skills to understand themselves, connect with others, and find their way through hard moments.
These aren't skills children learn once and master forever. They're things we practice again and again as we grow.
NOTICE MY BODY
Children begin noticing clues their bodies give them—like a fast heartbeat, tight tummy, wiggly hands, tears, or wanting to hide.
NAME MY FEELING
Children build words for what they may be experiencing so feelings become a little easier to understand.
ASK FOR HELP
Children learn that needing support is okay and practice identifying safe grown-ups they can turn to.
FIND WHAT HELPS
Children explore simple regulation tools like breathing, movement, quiet, connection, and taking a break.
CONNECT & REPAIR
Children practice kindness, listening, friendship skills, and what to do after something goes wrong.
TRY AGAIN
Children discover that mistakes and hard moments aren't the end of the story. We can pause, learn, and try again when we're ready.
AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY...
Children learn that having a hard time doesn't mean they are a "hard" kid.
Feelings are information. Skills take practice. And children deserve connection while they're still learning.
We're not raising children who never struggle.
We're helping children know what to do when they do.
WHEN FEELINGS GET TOO BIG
Welcome to Bubble Cove
A quiet place to pause, reconnect, and figure out what might help.
Sometimes feelings get so big that learning, talking, or solving the problem has to wait. That's what Bubble Cove is for.
Bubble Cove is a peaceful place in Big Feelings Bay where a child can slow down, notice what their body needs,
and practice a regulation tool with support.
Bubble Cove is never a punishment.
No one is sent there for having a big feeling. It's simply a safe option when a child wants or needs a little extra support.
Something feels big. We can stop for a moment.
1 — PAUSE
What is your body telling you?
2 — NOTICE
What might help right now?
3 — CHOOSE
4 — RETURN WHEN READY
Take your time. You can come back when your body feels ready.
What might help?
Take a slow breath
Hold something comforting
Sit somewhere quiet
Move your body
Take a little more time
Ask someone to stay
Connection comes before correction.
For the Grown-ups
We don't teach the lesson at the peak of the feeling. First we help the child feel safe, connected, and regulated. Then, when they're ready, we can learn together.
The goal is to help a child discover, “I know what I can do when a big feeling comes.”
The goal isn't to make the feeling disappear.
YOU'RE PART OF THE STORY, TOO
For the Grown-Ups
Because children don't learn emotional skills alone.
Big Feelings Bay gives children simple language for understanding their feelings—but the grown-ups beside them are an important part of that learning.
You don't need to be a therapist. You don't need a perfect script. And you definitely don't have to handle every hard moment perfectly.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer a child is a safe adult who notices, stays, and helps them figure out what comes next.
FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Conversation starters, simple strategies, and practical tools for helping children navigate big feelings at home.
FOR EDUCATORS
Teacher guides, classroom activities, SEL connections, and supportive language you can use with young learners.
FREE PRINTABLES
Simple resources you can print, use, share, and try with the children in your life.
SOMETIMES A FEW WORDS CAN CHANGE THE WHOLE MOMENT
Instead of: "Calm down."
Try: "I'm here. Let's figure out what your body needs."
Instead of: "You're okay."
Try: "Something feels really hard right now."
Instead of: "Stop crying."
Try: "You can cry. I'll stay with you."
You don't have to say everything perfectly.
Connection matters more than the perfect words.
Keep exploring the Bay
THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO DISCOVER
Big feelings don't come with instruction manuals.
That's why we're learning together—one story, one feeling, one little skill at a time.
Whether you're here with a child, bringing Big Feelings Bay into your classroom, or looking for a little support for the moments that feel hard, there's a place for you here.
START WITH SOMETHING FREE
Print a simple resource and try something together today.
WATCH & LEARN
Visit the stories and learn alongside the friends of the Bay.
LEARN TOGETHER
Find activities, conversation guides, and practical tools for home and the classroom.
Big feelings come and go like ocean waves.
We can learn to ride them together.
Here in Big Feelings Bay, every feeling is okay.
Created with heart by Ms. Blossom
