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Parent and Carer Information 

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Terry's terrific shell - A story about feeling worried 

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Firstly, thank you for purchasing Terry’s Terrific Shell, and welcome to our information area.

This page offers a space just for you, away from the fun of the story, where we focus on understanding children’s worries and how to support them gently. Whether you are a parent, carer, grandparent, or professional, you will find guidance around the themes in the book, ideas for encouraging emotional expression, and practical ways to help when worries feel heavy.

We hope this page brings reassurance, connection, and confidence as you explore the story together.

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The therapeutic story

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Terry the tortoise believes that if he packs his worries deep inside his shell and cannot see them, they will disappear. Instead, he begins to feel heavier and heavier.

When he meets Skye, a bird who sings her worries into the sky, Terry realises that he needs a different way to let his worries out. Together, they unpack his shell — one worry at a time. 

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This story offers a gentle metaphor for what can happen when children push worries down rather than sharing them. It shows that worries do not disappear when hidden — they get heavier — and that relief comes through connection, expression and support.

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So, what might come up when children carry worries?

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Most children will experience periods of worry. Some worries are small and pass quickly. Others stay longer.

Some children talk openly about their worries. Others hold them inside. and it can be hard to even tell that the feelings are there. They may not have the words to explain what feels wrong, or they may believe that sharing will make things worse. Sometimes they worry about worrying.

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When worries stay inside, they can show up in other ways:

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• Big emotional reactions

• Meltdowns after school

• Difficulty sleeping

• Irritability

• Physical complaints (tummy aches, headaches)

• Becoming withdrawn or unusually quiet

• Needing extra reassurance or control​

Children’s nervous systems can become overwhelmed when worries build up. When this happens, their “thinking brain” can go offline, and their emotional brain takes over. In those moments, they are not being difficult — they are dysregulated.

Like Terry, they may simply be feeling too full.

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Why this story matters

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Children need a safe, playful way to explore their inner world. Play is a child's natural language, and therapeutic stories such as the Emotions at Play range, create a safe and tolerable distance. When a child talks about Terry’s worries, they are often also thinking about their own. The metaphor allows feelings to be explored without pressure.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Emotions at Play has connection at it's very core, and reading a story together is a wonderful way of connecting with a child. You will have seen us talk about ‘the magic recipe’ here at Emotions at Play, and the relationship between yourself and your child is the container for this recipe. As you explore the book together, you will find plenty of ingredients to add to your pot, but the key part of the magic is you.​​​​​

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Let 'Rags' be your guide- Our trusty mascot is on hand to guide you through the story. Rags will lead you to fun games, experiments and crafty ideas to bring the story from the page and into your child’s world.

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'I wonder' statements - Often used in therapeutic conversation in place of 'why'questions,

'I wonder'statements are much softer and don't force a response. Our young people do not always have the answer to 'why', but 'I wonder if..' brings about a shared curiosity and a feeling of being on the journey together. It's only a slight change of words yet it can make a real difference. 

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The child always leads - A really important piece in Emotions at Play is that the child leads and the adult follows. Play is a child's natural mode of expression, so if we lead, we simply take over the conversation and suppress our child. Our books are filled with activities and ideas to ignite your child's curiosity. They are offered, but never forced. 

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Pick the right time - Make sure that your are emotionally regulated within yourself before starting the story. If you are feeling stressed or are trying to sandwich it in between activities, you won't be able to fully focus on your child. Take time to breathe and settle so that you are in an emotional state that will support your child. Put your mobile phone on silent to allow this special time to be just between you. 

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​Here are a few tried and tested ideas and strategies for supporting children who are experiencing worry;

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1. Make space for the worry

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It is natural to want to fix things quickly. But when worries are minimised, children can feel unheard.

Instead of rushing to solutions, try:

• “That sounds like a heavy one.”

• “I wonder how long that’s been in your shell?”

• “Shall we look at it together?”

Validation helps the nervous system begin to settle.

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2. Regulate before you reason

If your child is overwhelmed, their nervous system needs calming before problem-solving.

You might:

• Sit beside them quietly

• Offer a cuddle (if welcomed)

• Use a calm, steady voice

• Breathe slowly and visibly

• Offer sensory tools like putty or fidgets

Connection first. Solutions later.

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3. Externalise the worry

Help them to understand that a worry is just a visiting thought. Drawing worries, moulding them from play dough, writing them on paper and scrunching them up, or rolling them like “marbles” down an imaginary hill can make them feel more manageable.

When worries move outside the body, they often shrink.

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4. Notice what lightens the shell

Ask:

• “What makes your shell feel lighter?”

• “What helps your body feel calm again?”

• “What do we want more space for?”

This helps children recognise that relief is possible.

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5. Create a Daily “Worry Time

For some children, worries pop up throughout the day. They may repeat the same concern, seek frequent reassurance, or save everything for bedtime — when tired brains make worries feel bigger.

Setting aside a small, predictable “worry time” each day (not at bedtime) can really help.

Choose a calm moment and let your child know this is a safe space where their worries will be listened to properly and taken seriously.

Having a dedicated time for worries can:

• Prevent worries from taking over the whole day

• Reduce bedtime worry spirals

• Help children feel heard and validated

• Create a sense of containment and safety

Over time, children often notice that some worries shrink before worry time even arrives.

It sends a powerful message:

Your worries matter — and we can handle them together.

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6. Accept that some worries return

Just like Terry may still have worries in the future, children will too. The goal is not a worry-free child, but a child who knows how to unpack their shell safely.

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Gentle reflection for grown-ups

Children often feel safest sharing worries when adults are calm and regulated. If possible, check in with yourself too.

Are there worries in your shell?

When adults model safe expression, children learn that feelings can be shared without shame.

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Know when to ask for help​

Worries are a normal part of childhood, and most children have them from time to time. Some children have a tendency to worry more than others. Often, worries are short-lived or connected to a specific event, and they ease once the situation has passed.

It can be helpful to seek extra support if your child’s worries:

• Are happening a lot or feel persistent throughout the day

• Affect different areas of their life, like school, friendships, or play

• Make it difficult to sleep or interfere with daily routines

• Cause strong distress or physical symptoms, such as tummy aches or headaches

You could reach out to:

• Your GP

• A children’s therapist

• Your child’s school or educational setting

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Rags Activity Guidance

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Below are the interactive elements in this story, why we chose them, and how to get the most out of them.

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Game – Animal Movers

Will you be a bouncy bunny, a stomping elephant, or a slithery snake?
Choose an animal and move just like they would.
Can the other player guess which animal you’re pretending to be?

Movement helps release tension stored in the body. Worry often shows up physically, and playful movement allows children to discharge that energy safely while strengthening connection through shared laughter.

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Science – Do Problems Disappear?

Do problems disappear if we ignore them?
Are some worries heavier than others?

About the experiment:
This simple hands-on activity helps children explore the idea that worries don’t vanish when we ignore them — they still exist, even if we can’t see them. Pour a tub of water, and using objects of different weights, children can test which “worries” feel heavier or lighter. They can then reflect on how some worries feel big and pressing, while others are smaller and easier to manage.

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Sensory – Skye’s Worry Song

Be like Skye and shake, sing and dance your worries out.
Make it as silly and dramatic as you like.

Laughing is a wonderful way to shrink worries. Sound and movement support nervous system regulation. Singing and shaking help emotions move through the body instead of staying stuck.

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Craft – What Do Worries Look Like?

Are Terry’s worries spiky or swirly? Tiny and wobbly… or big and bumpy?

I wonder what shape your worries might be.
Do you have any really old worries like Terry’s?
Are some bigger than others?

Children can draw, paint, or make their worries using play dough.

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Art – Filling a Light Shell

Now that some of Terry’s worries are out in the open, there is room in his shell for his favourite things — candy floss and bubbles!

What favourite things would your happy, light shell be filled with?

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Question – Noticing Worry in the Body

We all feel worried sometimes.
How does your body feel when you are worried?

• Heavy like Terry?

• Fizzy and hot?

• Funny in your tummy?

Knowing the physical signs of worry helps children recognise and manage their feelings earlier.

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Tortoise Transport 

Now that Terry has extra space in his shell, he has started a new venture — Terry’s Tortoise Transport!

He carefully carries his friends wherever they need to go.

Can you create a sign for Terry’s Tortoise Transport?
Maybe you’ll see him out and about one day!

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How do we use the book?