Zestle - Excitement
Top Tips and Support
💫Core Emotion: Excitement
👾🧚 Species: Gleeful Glyph
🎂 Age: However old you are when you first shout ‘YAY!’
🏠Home: The Firework Fields, where everything sparkles a bit too much
Who is Zestle?
Zestle is the feeling of excitement, all that bouncy, fizzy, sparkly energy that bubbles up when something is new, fun, joyful, or just really big.
Zestle is great and they are bursting with energy! But sometimes, that energy gets too big, too fast… and can lead to overwhelm and/or dysregulation.
With your help, your child can learn to spot, slow, and soften their Zestle if it gets too much.
How can we help our Children learn about Zestle?
🤔Start With Curiosity
Try asking your child:
“When do you think Zestle visits you?”
“What does Zestle feel like in your body?”
(Butterflies in your tummy? Wiggly legs? Big grins or fast talking?)
“What helps when Zestle feels a bit too big?”
🧰Use our website resources to explore Zestle
Colour in Zestle: What colour is your child’s Zestle? What colour is yours?
Complete the wordsearch and find the words we use to talk about Zestle.
Create a toolkit with your child for what to do if Zestle gets too big
Draw your own Zeste. When might he show up?
🌈 Secret Soft Side
Zestle is pure joy in motion; full of sparkles, giggles, and “let’s goooo!” energy.
But when excitement grows too fast, it can wobble into overwhelm.
The secret?
Zestle does not need to be stopped, just slowed down enough to land gently.
👇 Dr Nat’s Top Tips for parent, carers and Teachers: If Zestle gets too big
· Notice the build-up, not just the blow-up.
Zestle often ramps up before it tips over. Watch out for early signs like buzzing talk, pacing, or high-volume excitement.
· Name Zestle gently.
Try: “Hmm, I think Zestle’s got a bit too big. That makes sense, this is a big moment. Let us take a breath together.”
· Slow the pace, do not squash the joy.
Excitement does not need to be shut down, it needs help to land. Pause. Stretch. Add a beat between activities.
· Give the body something to do.
Try: jumping on a mini trampoline, blowing big bubbles, walking, and chatting. Movement can help Zestle soften.
· Remember: excitement can look like anxiety.
Especially when something is new or uncertain. Fast heart, wobbly tummy, racing thoughts this is all Zestle’s way of saying, “This matters!”
· Be mindful of pressure.
Sometimes when we say, “Aren’t you excited?!” our kids feel confused or worried if they are not. Curiosity over assumption builds safety.
💛 After Zestle has passed…
· You might say:
“Zestle got really big today, and you managed a lot. I saw you trying. What helped you feel steady again?”
· You could ask:
• “What helps your Zestle soften?”
• “What would your soft Zestle (maybe Zenny Zestle) like to do?”
· Ideas might include:
• Building a pillow fort
• Drawing or doodling what excitement looks like
• Listening to gentle music
• Taking three long deep belly breaths.
· Let your child help build a Zestle Kit, real or imagined, with tools that help soften the energy down without taking away the fun.
🧘 Disarming Strategies for Zestle (Excitement)
🃏 Slow-Mo Switch
🐢 Pretend to move in slow motion for ten seconds.
Helps steady the Zoom Zap before it zips too far.
🃏 Sparkle Save
🌟 Imagine putting some confetti in your pocket for later.
Keeps the Glowburst special instead of scattering all at once.
🃏 Echo Pause
🤭 Place both hands over your mouth, then share just one giggle at a time.
Softens the Energy Echo so it doesn’t overwhelm others.
🃏 Step Check
👟 Say out loud the next three steps: “First socks, then shoes, then go!”
Stops the Thought Skip from tripping you up.
🃏 Balloon Breath
🎈 Pretend you’re inflating a balloon with each slow breath in… and letting it float gently with each breath out.
Calms the Pop Flurry into a playful breeze.