Support that starts with understanding

Helping families understand the feelings beneath the behaviour

Calm, practical guidance for parents navigating anxiety, overwhelm, neurodivergence and school distress.

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Created by Steve Fox, mental health advocate and founder of Little Big Minds.

♡Understand what’s happeningGentle explanations for anxiety, shutdowns, burnout and big emotions.☼Practical support for familiesRealistic ways to help your child feel safer, calmer and understood.▤Books and resourcesSupportive stories, colouring and practical tools to return to when needed.

A free, gentle game for children

Step into Milly’s Calm & Cosy Quest

Explore cosy rooms, complete calming activities, decorate a safe space and take a quiet pause whenever it is needed. There are no timers and no pressure to play in a particular way.

Calm, pressure-free playCosy sounds and activitiesGrown-up guidance included

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Little Big Minds on YouTube

Choose the videos that fit your family

Short, supportive videos for parents and carers, alongside gentle animated stories for children to enjoy with a grown-up.

For parents and carers

One-Minute Parent Support

Calm, practical guidance around children’s emotions, anxiety, overwhelm and school difficulties.

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Gentle stories for children

Milly’s Big Feelings

Meet Milly, Lula and their family in animated stories about worries, overwhelm and the small things that can help.

Watch Milly’s stories

You’re not alone in this

When behaviour feels confusing, start with what may be happening underneath

A child who refuses, withdraws or falls apart is not necessarily being difficult. Their nervous system may be telling you that something feels too much.

Little Big Minds offers shame-free explanations and practical ideas that help families respond with curiosity, connection and emotional safety.

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A helpful place to begin

Latest guidance

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A tired child recovering at home while a caring adult offers quiet support

School and overwhelm

Your child holds it together at school — then falls apart at home

Why this happens, what their behaviour may be communicating, and how to support recovery.

A child using simple cards to communicate while a caring adult listens patiently

Communication

When your child says, “I don’t know what’s wrong”

They may not be avoiding the question. They may not yet have the words for what their body is feeling.

An overwhelmed child in a quiet space while an adult gives calm, supportive distance

Nervous system

Understanding emotional shutdowns and meltdowns

Looking beneath the behaviour to recognise overload, distress and the need for safety.

Support to hold in your hands

Books made with warmth, understanding and real families in mind

Gentle books and practical downloadable guides to help children explore big feelings—and give adults calm, usable support.

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Milly’s Big Feelings book cover by Steve Fox

Calm and Cosy: A Colouring and Wellness Book by Steve Fox

Cover of the free When a Child Says ‘I Don’t Know’ support pack

A helpful place to start

Help them communicate without finding all the words

Download a gentle support pack for children and teens who shut down, feel overwhelmed or struggle to explain what is wrong.

Download the free support pack

The person behind Little Big Minds

Hi, I’m Steve

I’m a mental health advocate, author and the founder of Little Big Minds. I combine relevant training with lived family experience to share calm, compassionate guidance that helps people feel understood—not judged.

This is an educational and supportive space. It does not replace personalised medical, therapeutic or crisis care.

You deserve support in difficult moments.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent emotional support in the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.