By Casey Neill
Professional and personal experiences guided a new toolkit helping kids identify and regulate emotions through play.
Elsternwick psychologist Sharon Kirschner and Surrey Hills occupational therapist Lucy Jones joined forces to create My Magical Belt.
“It’s aimed to make learning fun, and normalise emotions and the use of resources and tools to help us manage our world that we live in,” Lucy said.
“It’s something that can be used and embedded into routines and everyday life.
“Little humans don’t naturally know how to take breaks and have their outlet.
“As adults, we’ve learned to take a walk or grab a coffee.
“Throughout life, you’re going to need different outlets and this is a fun, playful way to start.”
They met through Sharon’s eldest child, who is neurodiverse.
“I watch Lucy do incredible work with my son, who has big emotions,” Sharon said.
“There are a lot of incredible books and a lot of incredible tools, but there wasn’t anything that combined them.
“Each book focuses on a particular technique to help them with their regulation.
“The books each come with their own physical tool.”
A bubble wand harnesses the power of deep breathing, and a squishy tool taps into deep pressure, like a stress ball for kids.
Kids roll a dice and mimic the movements of the animal pictured – ‘heavy work movement’ that compresses major joints, releasing chemicals that slow the body down.
As the glitter drifts through a sparkle disc, the child’s body mimics the falling, reducing the heart rate and helping them feel grounded.
“Within each book, we have parent and teacher pages as well,” Sharon said.
“It explains why we included each tool and how to implement it.
“The tools are applicable for them as well.
“The kids will say ‘Mum, do you want to use my magical belt?’ or ‘Why don’t you use your sparkle disc?’.
“It’s increasing their understanding of emotions not just for themselves.”
Lucy said: “How empowering as well, when a parent can be vulnerable and share ‘I’m learning all these new skills as well, can we do it together?’”
“My husband has the sparkle disc sitting on his desk for if any of his meetings get frustrating.”
The My Magical Belt concept came to life when Covid lockdowns were ending.
“We were really reflecting on the separation anxiety of kids going back to school,” Lucy said.
Plus the waiting lists for child therapists, which Sharon said rose to an all-time high.
“These books are not a replacement for proper professional intervention, but if you can’t get your child in to see someone for months, they can help assist your child’s emotional growth and well-being in the meantime,” she said.
The duo visits schools and kinders each week.
“We help educators see how connected kids can be to these concepts,” Lucy said.
Sharon said: “That’s been a highlight for both of us, the extension of workshops and readings in schools, seeing kids, teachers, and aids excited.”
“It’s about empowering kids.
“Their body might feel out of control, but they know they can use one of their tools.
“Normalising using these tools is a huge, huge part of what we’re doing.”
Books and tools can be purchased together and separately. Visit www.mymagicalbelt.com.au for more information.
