Upstairs and Downstairs Brain Resource
The Upstairs and Downstairs Brain Resource for Kids
Introducing our interactive visual resource designed to help children understand and harness the power of their "upstairs" and "downstairs" brains. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Daniel Siegel, this tool teaches kids about brain function in a fun and accessible way, promoting emotional regulation, improved decision-making, and overall mental well-being.
We've created 8 characters to represent different functionalities of our upstairs and downstairs brain. This makes it memorable and easier for children to understand and engage with.
The UPSTAIRS BRAIN is the the smart and kind part of your brain. It helps you think, make good choices, and understand how other people feel.
The DOWNSTAIRS BRAIN is like the guard of the house. It’s in charge of keeping you safe and taking care of basic needs. The downstairs brain can react quickly to keep you safe, but sometimes it makes you feel too strongly or quickly.
The upstairs and downstairs brains need to work together. When the downstairs brain reaction is making too much noise, the upstairs brain breaks off and can no longer use the ladder to communicate!
Sometimes, this is a good thing when it’s keeping us safe. We can join back together later on when we are out of harm’s way. But when it’s not real danger, we need to find a way to get the two brains working together again. We can do this by taking deep breaths, naming our feelings, talking to someone or moving our body.
Use the brain resource to talk through different scenarios to start developing your child’s understanding. We’ve included some digital downloads and a parents guide to print alongside this resource.
Key Benefits:
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Fosters Emotional Awareness:
- Our resource helps children recognize the different parts of their brain responsible for emotions (downstairs brain) and logical thinking (upstairs brain). By understanding these concepts, kids can become more aware of their feelings and reactions.
- Our resource helps children recognize the different parts of their brain responsible for emotions (downstairs brain) and logical thinking (upstairs brain). By understanding these concepts, kids can become more aware of their feelings and reactions.
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Enhances Emotional Regulation:
- The resource provides strategies for calming the downstairs brain during emotional outbursts, allowing the upstairs brain to regain control. This leads to better management of anger, frustration, and anxiety.
- The resource provides strategies for calming the downstairs brain during emotional outbursts, allowing the upstairs brain to regain control. This leads to better management of anger, frustration, and anxiety.
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Improves Decision-Making:
- By teaching kids to engage their upstairs brain, this resource enhances their ability to make thoughtful and reasoned decisions. This skill is invaluable for handling peer pressure, academic challenges, and everyday choices.
- By teaching kids to engage their upstairs brain, this resource enhances their ability to make thoughtful and reasoned decisions. This skill is invaluable for handling peer pressure, academic challenges, and everyday choices.
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Supports Problem-Solving:
- This brain resource includes activities that encourage children to use their upstairs brain to think creatively and solve problems. This nurtures critical thinking and boosts confidence in their ability to tackle challenges.
- This brain resource includes activities that encourage children to use their upstairs brain to think creatively and solve problems. This nurtures critical thinking and boosts confidence in their ability to tackle challenges.
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Promotes Mindfulness:
- The resource integrates mindfulness exercises that help children stay present and focused. These practices strengthen the upstairs brain, improving attention span and reducing stress.
- The resource integrates mindfulness exercises that help children stay present and focused. These practices strengthen the upstairs brain, improving attention span and reducing stress.
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Encourages Healthy Communication:
- By understanding the upstairs and downstairs brain, children can communicate their needs and feelings more effectively. This leads to healthier relationships with peers, parents, and teachers.
Product Features:
- Engaging Activities: Interactive, fun characters to represent different functionalities of our upstairs and downstairs brain. This makes it memorable and easier for children to understand and engage with.
- Colourful Illustrations: Vibrant visuals that simplify complex concepts and keep kids engaged.
- Step-by-Step Guide: Clear instructions for parents and teachers to facilitate learning and application.
- Real-Life Scenarios digital download included in your order: Practical examples that show how to apply brain concepts in everyday situations.
- Durable and Portable: High-quality materials that can be used at home, in the classroom, or on the go.
Why Choose our Resources?
Craftly visuals are more than just educational resources— they're transformative tools that empower children with the knowledge and skills to navigate their emotions and thoughts effectively. By understanding and balancing their upstairs and downstairs brains, kids can achieve greater emotional stability, improved focus, and better problem-solving abilities. Equip your child with the tools they need for a balanced and successful life.
Printed onto a circle measuring 150mm and printed onto aluminium metal.
Includes 8 velcro characters each representing a function of the brain.
Whiteboard reflection board activity is A4 and printed onto aluminium metal.
Product details
Materials and Sizing
Postage info
As a self-employed mum, I’ve created a system that keeps home life balanced while setting clear expectations for my lovely customers:
🖌️ Monday – I design all outstanding orders.
🛠️ Tuesday – Everything is prepped, made, and finished.
📦 Wednesday – Orders are packed and dropped off for shipping.
This routine runs like clockwork 99% of the time!
If you place an order on a Thursday, it will be designed the following Monday, made Tuesday, and shipped Wednesday.
You’ll receive a dispatch email once your order’s label has been created, please check your junk folder if you don’t see it.
See where we're at with orders here.
Why buy from us?
Hi, I’m Kim, a mum, maker, and big believer in the power of mindfulness for both kids and grown-ups. I started Craftly because, like so many parents, I was feeling overwhelmed and unsure how best to support my child’s big feelings.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve been designing routine, emotions and learning resources alongside my lovely mum - a Teaching and Emotional Literacy Support Assistant with over 24 years of experience. Together, we listen closely to what families and children actually need, and we create tools that are simple, visual, and made with purpose.
