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Cosy armchair illustrated in a soft, rounded style.

Decompress Menu

Gentle Support for Noticing What Your Body Needs

The Decompress Menu offers a calm, visual way for children to notice what might help their body and mind feel steadier. Each option represents a different kind of support — quiet, movement, comfort, connection, or stillness — without pressure to choose “correctly” or explain how they feel.

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Children can tap any icon that feels helpful in the moment.
There is no order, no expectation, and no right or wrong way to use this tool.

It’s simply a gentle way to pause, notice, and choose what feels supportive

Click any icon to explore what might help right now.

Outlined armchair symbol, representing a quiet, comfortable place where the body can rest, settle, and feel safe.
Simple sneaker outline, representing gentle movement that helps release energy and reset the body.
Minimal teddy‑bear icon, representing soft, soothing sensory comfort that helps the body feel calmer and supported.
Child and adult hand meeting gently, representing shared calm, connection, and supportive co‑regulation with another person.
Simple cloud with a pause symbol, representing stillness, mental quiet, and taking a moment with no demands.

Quiet
Space

Movement
Reset

Sensory
Comfort

Co‑Regulation / Support

Pause /
Nothingness 

It’s okay to choose one, a few, or none at all.
Your body knows what it needs.

This tool works well alongside...

FAQ: Decompress Menu & Emotional Safety

For grown‑ups: How do I support my child as they explore what helps them feel steady?

This FAQ offers simple, gentle guidance to help you use the Decompress Menu with your child. It’s designed to make emotional moments feel calmer, clearer, and more predictable — for both of you.

What is this tool for?

The Decompress Menu helps children notice what kind of support their body might need when they feel overwhelmed, unsettled, tired, activated, or unsure.


It’s especially helpful for children who benefit from visual cues, sensory‑safe options, and low‑demand choices.

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How do we use it?

  • Explore the icons together at the child’s pace.

  • They can tap an option when it feels helpful, or simply look at the menu.

  • There’s no expectation to choose or explain anything.

  • The tool is there to offer possibilities, not instructions.

 

Does my child need to choose only one?

No.
Children can tap as many icons as they like.
Needs often overlap — quiet and comfort, movement and support.

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What if my child doesn’t tap anything?

That’s completely okay.
Sometimes just seeing the options helps a child feel more grounded.

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What if my child always chooses the same option?

That’s also okay.
Familiar supports can feel safe and predictable.
Over time, they may explore others — but there’s no rush.

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Can this tool help with emotional regulation?

Yes.
When children can see their options clearly, they often feel more in control, more understood, and more able to choose what helps.

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Do I need to talk through each option?

Only if it feels supportive.
Some children prefer quiet tapping; others enjoy naming what helps.
Follow their lead.

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Can I adapt the language for my child?

Absolutely.
You’re welcome to rephrase the options in ways that feel familiar, comforting, or more accessible for your child.

It’s okay to choose what helps your body right now.

Helpful alongside this tool…

Two gentle tools that support calmer, more comforting moments as children

explore what helps their body feel settled.

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Feeling Visible may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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