Our Flagship Product
The Feelings Toolbox
The Feelings Toolbox is an illustrated children's book and companion set of tangible "tools" designed to teach children ages 3-7 how to recognize and regulate their emotions through play. Grounded in empirically supported treatments, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), this resource uniquely blends storytelling and psychology. Each toy in the toolbox, such as a small eye-cooling pack to calm the nervous system or sensory tools that encourage grounding and focus, is intentionally selected to reinforce emotional regulation skills in young children.
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Why No-Quam
Our Approach
Rooted in Science
Created by a Harvard-trained psychologist, No-Quam makes evidence-based emotional education simple, playful, and practical.
Built for Real Families
Our Toolbox was designed with everyday life in mind – easy to use, easy to understand, and made to fit into your routines, whether it’s a quick moment before school or a conversation at bedtime.
Big Feelings Belong Here
We believe no feeling is too big or too small. Our mission is to help every child feel understood, supported, and empowered.
What Experts Are Saying...
"As a psychiatrist, I often work with parents who feel overwhelmed when their kids' emotions spiral out of control. The Feelings Toolbox is exactly the kind of resource I recommend—playful, practical, and grounded in real psychological insight. It gives kids simple, hands-on ways to manage big feelings, and it gives parents something to do in those hard moments, instead of feeling helpless. The companion guide is a thoughtful bonus, offering clear advice for handling everyday challenges at different ages. This book turns emotional chaos into an opportunity for connection."
Peter Freed, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist in New York with 25 years of experience, specializing in therapy and medication for personality, mood, and anxiety disorders. He founded Coachiatry, a platform helping patients turn treatment plans into action.
“One of the most important things we can teach our children is not only how to identify and express emotions but also how to regulate them. Providing not only children, but the larger family system with tools benefits everyone and helps reduce feelings of helplessness in the face of big emotions.”
Kelly Gunderson, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital’s Gunderson Residence, specializing in family therapy for complex personality disorders. She helps families improve communication, foster empathy, and support relational healing through collaborative, systems-informed care.
“As a special education administrator, I fully endorse The Feelings Toolbox: Everything you need to know to build your happy. As students require more SEL instruction and school budgets get stretched, this is a low cost, high impact way to develop essential skills. Dr Jacob brings research-based strategies into the hands of teachers. It’s a must-have resource for any educator committed to supporting the emotional well-being and growth of their students.”
Robin Fabiano, M.Ed., Director of Secondary Special Education at Brookline High School, with expertise in assistive technology, inclusive practices, and collaborative school culture.
Tips, tools, and stories for raising emotionally strong kids
Inside the Toolbox | Blog
5 Tools to Calm Big Emotions — and Why They Work
Inside the Toolbox: What to Reach For When Feelings Get Too Big When big feelings (also known as anger, sadness, frustration, anxiety) show up, young children often don’t yet have the skills to man...
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Why Emotional Literacy Matters More Than Ever
Inside the Toolbox: The Case for Early Emotional Education In a world that feels faster, louder, and more complicated than ever, helping children understand and manage their emotions isn’t just a “...
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How to Talk About Big Feelings with Little Kids
Inside the Toolbox: Building Emotional Language from the Start We’ve all been there: a child is crying, yelling, or shutting down, and all we want is to help. But knowing what to say in those momen...
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How Pre-Order Works
We believe emotional regulation tools should be accessible to every child and family. That’s why we’re keeping pre-ordering simple (no payment required!).
Just enter your email to reserve your spot and be the first to access The Feelings Toolbox when it launches. Your early sign-up guarantees you’ll have access before it sells out.
COMING SOON
12-Week SEL (Social & Emotional Learning) Curriculum: Starting at $249
Rooted in evidence-based therapeutic models (DBT, CBT, ACT, MBT), our 12-week curriculum is designed to support emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience in children ages 3–7. Each week pairs one core Feelings Toolbox item with a themed lesson, classroom activity, caregiver extension, and printable visual, making it easy to teach and reinforce social-emotional skills at school and home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Feelings Toolbox is a children’s book and accompanying set of hands-on emotional regulation tools designed to help kids ages 3–7 learn how to identify, understand, and manage their feelings in a playful, developmentally appropriate way.
It was created by a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. The toolbox was developed in response to the lack of accessible, evidence-based resources for young children and families to build emotional awareness and healthy coping skills.
The toolbox includes research-backed items such as a stress ball, sand timer, tangle toy, pop-it, ice pack, music suggestions, and coloring tools—each with a specific purpose to help children regulate emotions using sensory grounding and mindfulness techniques.
The illustrated story introduces emotional concepts in a relatable narrative, guiding children through different feelings and showing them how to use the tools. Each tool is matched with a part of the story so kids can see real-life examples of emotional regulation.
The toolbox supports the development of:
- Emotional literacy (naming feelings)
- Mindful breathing and grounding
- Self-regulation and impulse control
- Sensory awareness
- Coping strategies for big emotions
Unlike most emotion-themed books or generic fidget toys, The Feelings Toolbox combines evidence-based clinical strategies from CBT, DBT, and ACT with a child-friendly approach. It's the first psychologist-developed kit that pairs a storybook with physical tools to make emotional regulation both tangible and fun.
Yes! The Feelings Toolbox is ideal for preschool classrooms, SEL programs, school counseling, and play therapy. It includes guidance for adults to facilitate learning, and the tools can be used in both group and individuals.
Absolutely. The tools are designed with sensory needs and emotional variability in mind. The curriculum includes visual supports, clear routines, and adaptable strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Many families and educators notice improvements in emotional awareness and self-expression within the first few weeks of use. Consistency and modeling by adults are key to helping children integrate these skills over time.
Not at all. The book and tools are designed to be used by parents, teachers, and caregivers with no clinical training. Easy-to-follow instructions and supportive language help guide you every step of the way.
Developed by Dr. Karen Jacob, PhD | Clinical Psychologist & Creator of The Feeling Toolbox
All views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official positions of McLean Hospital or Harvard Medical School.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps kids connect thoughts, feelings, and actions through simple, practical skills.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Brings mindfulness and emotion regulation to children in a playful, age-appropriate way.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps kids accept feelings and act on what matters to them.
ASTM Toy Safety Certified