Breathing Through

10/17/2026

A little more than Halloween treats… we’re sharing tools for emotional regulation!

We created 200 mini regulation kits for the Macaroni KID Boo Bags, and each item was chosen with intention!

Inside, you’ll find bubbles, scented sensory dough, a spiky fidget ring, and a Warhead candy.

This video is your guide to using each item! From breathing and tactile input to grounding and sensory exploration, these simple tools can offer different ways to support your child’s nervous system.

Didn’t get a Boo Bag? No problem! You can easily recreate these activities at home using everyday items.

Because supporting emotional regulation doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Did your family receive a Boo Bag? Tell us which sensory tool your child enjoyed most!

Save this video so you have the instructions handy, share it with another parent, and follow for more practical ways to support children’s emotional development.

Veronica Tovar, LCSW, RPT®, is a child & teen therapist in Modesto, CA specializing in play therapy, anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation & infant mental health.

10/15/2026

Breathing Through goes beyond the playroom.

While much of what you see here focuses on the work I do with children and families, another part of Breathing Through that I love is bringing that work into the community through trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements.

I work with schools, mental health professionals, early childhood programs, organizations, and other child-serving teams to create engaging, experiential trainings around topics like play therapy, emotional and sensory regulation, trauma-responsive care, caregiver wellness, and children’s mental health.

And these aren’t one-size-fits-all presentations. Trainings can be customized around the needs of your organization, your team, and the children and families you serve.

Interested in bringing Breathing Through to your organization?

Head to the link in my bio and select Trainings, Workshops & Speaking Engagement Inquiry to tell me a little about what you’re looking for.

Know a school, organization, or team that could benefit from a Breathing Through training? Send this post to them.

10/14/2026

What if your child’s after-school snack could support their emotional regulation?

We often think regulation means being calm. But regulation is really about being in a state where we can manage what’s happening around us, whether we’re excited, active, or winding down.

And sometimes, something as simple as a snack can provide helpful sensory input.

Think about it:

Crunching on a granola bar, chewing something with a different texture, or sipping a drink through a straw all provide oral sensory input that may help some children regulate.

This can be especially helpful to consider after a long school day, when children have been navigating expectations, transitions, and social interactions.

It’s not always about adding another coping skill. Sometimes it’s about recognizing the regulation opportunities already built into everyday routines.

Next time your child gets home from school, get curious about what kinds of sensory input they naturally seek.

Does your child gravitate toward crunchy snacks, chewy foods, or drinking through a straw? Tell me in the comments!

Save this for your next after-school routine, and follow for more simple, practical ways to support children’s emotional regulation through everyday experiences.

Veronica Tovar, LCSW, RPT®, is a child & teen therapist in Modesto, CA specializing in play therapy, anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation & infant mental health.

10/13/2026

Not every child has the words to tell us what they’re feeling. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have something to say.

Sometimes their story comes through play.

Through the toys they choose, the worlds they create, the stories they tell, or simply how they engage with the world around them.

As a play therapist, one of the most important things I can do is slow down, get curious, and make space for children to express themselves in ways that feel natural to them.

Because children don’t always need us to interpret their play. Sometimes they just need us to be present, witness their experience, and allow their story to unfold.

And this isn’t just something that happens in the therapy room. It’s something we can practice at home, too.

The next time your child invites you into their play, try following their lead instead of directing what happens.

You might be surprised by the connection that comes from simply being present.

Save this reminder, and follow for more ways to connect with children through play.

Veronica Tovar, LCSW, RPT®, is a child & teen therapist in Modesto, CA specializing in play therapy, anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation & infant mental health.

10/12/2026

Halloween is full of surprises. But how does your child handle the unexpected?

For some children, the anticipation of something unexpected can be just as challenging as the surprise itself.

That’s one reason I love using games like Crocodile Dentist from hasbro in the playroom.

You never know exactly when that crocodile is going to snap!

Through play, children have opportunities to experience anticipation, uncertainty, and surprise in a safe, playful environment.

And here’s the important part: We’re not trying to eliminate uncertainty. We’re helping children practice navigating it.

Games like this give us opportunities to notice how children respond, support them through uncomfortable moments, and practice recovering when something unexpected happens.

With Halloween approaching, it’s a great reminder that excitement and uncertainty can exist together.

What about your child? Do they love surprises, or do they prefer knowing exactly what’s coming? Tell me in the comments!

Save this for your next family game night, and follow for more ways everyday play can support children’s emotional development.

Veronica Tovar, LCSW, RPT®, is a child & teen therapist in Modesto, CA specializing in play therapy, anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation & infant mental health.

10/11/2026

10/09/2026

Somewhere along the way, play starts to feel like something we’re supposed to grow out of.

But play doesn’t have an age limit.

Sensory play gives us an opportunity to slow down, explore, create, laugh, connect, and simply enjoy the experience—whether you’re 5 or 65 or anywhere in between.

And sometimes, joining in is part of the connection.

You don’t have to create something perfect. You don’t have to know what you’re doing. You can simply get your hands in there and play.

Because play isn’t only something we create for children.

We get to experience it too.

What do you love about sensory play? And what’s the one sensory material you could sit and play with forever? Tell me in the comments.

10/09/2026

Halloween play doesn’t have to be elaborate to be fun.

No Pinterest-perfect setup. No special Halloween Play-Doh. No need to buy a cart full of new materials.

For this setup, we used play dough we already had, old muffin tins, and random Halloween odds and ends we’ve collected over the years from places like the dollar store—eyeballs, creepy hands, little cauldrons, spiders, cutters and whatever else we could find.

We put everything out on our Tuff Tray from .play and let them take it from there.

That’s it.

They squished, created, pretended, experimented, mixed things together and made the play completely their own.

Sometimes we make play harder than it needs to be. Kids don’t need an elaborate setup to become completely immersed in what they’re doing.

Give them a few materials. Give them the space. Let them lead.

And use what you already have. Simple play can still be really good play.

What random Halloween items do you already have at home that you could throw into a play setup? Tell me in the comments.

10/08/2026

When your child’s behavior suddenly changes, get curious before jumping to conclusions. 💛

A new behavior doesn’t automatically mean something is “wrong.” Behavior can be one of the ways children communicate that something has shifted—even when they can’t explain it themselves.

Instead of only focusing on “How do I make this behavior stop?” start looking at the bigger picture.

Has something changed at home or school?
Are they overwhelmed, anxious, tired, or overstimulated?
Has their routine changed?
Are they navigating something developmentally new?
Is the behavior getting more frequent, intense, or interfering with everyday life?

Sometimes the behavior is the part we see, but it isn’t necessarily where the story begins.

Get curious about the change behind the change. 🧠💛

And when your gut tells you something feels different, it’s okay to reach out for additional support.

ChildDevelopment