#97 - Mindfulness & Regulation For Preschoolers with Sarah Habib | The Autism Little Learners Podcast

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Episode description

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Episode description

In this episode, we welcome Sarah Habib, founder of The Calm Caterpillar, who shares her journey in creating tools that help children, both neurotypical and neurodivergent, manage big emotions. Sarah’s calm corner kits and sensory aids are transforming classrooms and homes by fostering emotional regulation and reducing disruptions. Hear how she’s making a difference nationwide, including her inspiring work in Uvalde, Texas. Tune in to learn more about building compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming spaces for kids!

Bio:

Sarah Habib

Sarah is a renowned educator and advocate for student wellness, with extensive experience spanning hundreds of schools and districts nationwide. Over her career, Sarah has collaborated closely with principals from elementary through high schools, helping to shape and support environments where both students and educators thrive. Her leadership in professional training has empowered countless administrators and teachers, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to foster holistic development within their schools.

One of Sarah's notable contributions includes her work with the Uvalde school district, where she trained guidance counselors to implement calm spaces in schools, fostering environments that support emotional regulation and improve classroom behavior. This initiative exemplifies her commitment to providing actionable, compassionate solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term well-being.

As an inventor and entrepreneur, Sarah developed unique tools that enhance children's breathing techniques and emotional regulation, impacting thousands of families. Since 2017, her curriculum has grown from a single-school initiative to an essential program across 45 schools, reaching over 10,000 students, with more than 2,000 engaging weekly. Her program serves students from ages two to eighteen and fulfills Ohio's state requirements for Social and Emotional Learning for Cincinnati Public Preschool students.

Sarah's dedication to mindfulness extends through her nearly decade-long leadership of a non-profit focused on movement and mindfulness, promoting a balanced approach to education that values both mental and physical well-being. To ensure the effectiveness of her curriculum, she has co-sponsored a range of scientific studies, establishing an evidence-based foundation for her tools and training programs.

Academically, Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. She also has a certification in Z-Health, a movement training system that uses neuroscience to enhance performance, and a certification from Mindful Schools. Her work is a testament to her vision of education as a comprehensive journey, where wellness and learning go hand in hand, fostering environments where both students and educators can thrive.

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Resources Mentioned:

Topics Covered:

Introduction: Sarah Habib, founder of Calm Caterpillar, aims to help neurodivergent children manage emotions through practical skills.

Origin: Launched during the pandemic to support families in Cincinnati Public Schools, fostering consistency between home and school.

Calm Corner Kits: Distributed 2,200 kits to preschoolers, featuring meditation cushions and breathing tools, with 86% parent engagement through bi-weekly texts.

Behavioral Impact: Reduced classroom disruptions and enhanced pro-social skills, highlighting the need for emotional regulation practice at home and school.

Product Development: Created tools like "Calming," a weighted plush, and "Bloomy," a tactile breathing tool for teaching breathing techniques.

Teaching Techniques: Focuses on teaching breathing in calm states, using co-regulation, and modeling behavior for children.

Buddy Breathing: Introduced a hand-tracing breathing technique adaptable for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children.

Calm Corner Implementation: Advocates for calm corners in classrooms for self-regulation and independent breathing practice.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Addresses ACEs' impact on emotional health and the role of mindfulness in mitigation.

Uvalde Initiative: Provided calm corner kits and training to Uvalde school counselors post-shooting, emphasizing emotional management.

Collaboration and Resources: Offers customizable kits for schools and promotes collaboration with educators and caregivers for emotional regulation strategies.

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