Uga in your day · for families

My child…

Choose what is happening. For each situation: words to offer, one thing to try — and, when there is one, an Uga episode to watch together.

Big feelings

When your child… gets frustrated when something doesn't work

Words to offer

“You're upset that it fell. We can pause together.”

Try

Name the feeling and stay close. Then offer a choice: some help, another way, or stopping for today. Build a tower that falls on purpose — and laugh together.

▶ Watch together: Uga and The Tower

Growing up

When your child… wants to do it alone and won't accept help

Words to offer

“Which part do you want help with?”

Try

Offer one small, specific kind of help, then wait. Show “help” with two open hands, so asking can happen even without words.

▶ Watch together: Uga and The Kite

Big feelings

When your child… hits, pushes or bites when angry

Words to offer

“I won't let you hit. You're so angry! You can stamp your feet.”

Try

Safety first: calmly stop the hand and look after the child who was hurt. Offer a safe way to let the anger out, like stamping like an elephant. Repair later, when everyone is calm.

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Big feelings

When your child… gets angry with you after a “no”

Words to offer

“You're angry with me. That's okay. I'm right here.”

Try

Stay close and keep the limit, kind and firm. Where you can, find a small “yes”: “Not the knife — you can stir with the spoon.”

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Big feelings

When your child… is scared of noises, the dark or new places

Words to offer

“We can look from here. I'm with you.”

Try

Look together, one small step at a time. Your child chooses how close to go and where to stop. No need to prove bravery.

▶ Watch together: Uga and The Strange Sound

Everyday moments

When your child… finds bedtime hard

Words to offer

“I'm nearby. If you need me, I'll help.”

Try

A bedtime routine in pictures (bath, story, cuddle, light off) and a small night light. No screens in the last hour before sleep.

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Everyday moments

When your child… cries when you leave them at nursery or school

Words to offer

“I'm going, and I'll come back after lunch. Here's something of mine to keep.”

Try

A short goodbye ritual that is the same every day, a small object to look after until you're back, and a warm reunion. Don't sneak away.

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Big feelings

When your child… is sad when someone leaves

Words to offer

“They've gone and you miss them. I'm staying with you.”

Try

A family goodbye ritual (waving from the window, a drawing for next time) and a mark on the calendar for when you'll meet again.

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Growing up

When your child… has a new baby brother or sister

Words to offer

“There's room in my heart for both of you.”

Try

Ten minutes of special time every day, just the two of you, with your child choosing the game. Some “baby” behaviour is normal for a while.

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Friends

When your child… won't share something special

Words to offer

“You're still using it. You can say “not yet”.”

Try

Turns, not forced sharing. Special things can rest somewhere safe before friends arrive. Practise “not yet” (one raised finger) and “your turn is next”.

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Friends

When your child… grabs other children's things

Words to offer

“You really wanted that. Your friend was using it. Let's ask.”

Try

Help give it back, then practise asking — with words or an open palm — and waiting for the answer.

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Everyday moments

When your child… can't wait (turns, queues, presents)

Words to offer

“It's hard to wait. What can you do while you wait?”

Try

Give the wait a shape: a sand timer, a song, a small job. Keep waits short, and afterwards describe what happened: “You waited until the song ended.”

▶ Watch together: Uga and The Swing

Everyday moments

When your child… won't stop playing or leave the park

Words to offer

“You want one more. This is the last one — then I'll help you put it away.”

Try

Warn ahead, choose one clear “last thing” together, and help with the ending. The limit holds; your voice stays kind.

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Everyday moments

When your child… finds changes of plan hard

Words to offer

“We wanted to go outside. That's disappointing.”

Try

Tell them about the change before it happens, name the disappointment, and put a “tomorrow” mark on the calendar.

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Friends

When your child… is shy with new people

Words to offer

“You can watch first and stay with me.”

Try

Let them watch before joining in. A small job (handing out cups, holding the ball) is an easy way in. No pushing, and no “shy” label.

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Friends

When your child… doesn't want hugs or kisses from relatives

Words to offer

“You can choose how to say hello.”

Try

A “hello menu”: a wave, a high five or a hug. Your child chooses; tell relatives kindly beforehand.

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Friends

When your child… plays too rough or doesn't stop when asked

Words to offer

“You love this game. Your friend said stop — so we stop.”

Try

Play the STOP game: a raised open palm means everyone freezes, adults too. Practise it in play, so it works when it matters.

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Big feelings

When your child… gets over-excited

Words to offer

“I can see your excitement. Let's make room to move.”

Try

Freeze dance: music on, everyone moves; music off, everyone stops. Then something slow together.

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Everyday moments

When your child… is overwhelmed by noise or mess

Words to offer

“It's too loud. We can turn it down or move away.”

Try

Offer options, not pressure: ear defenders or a quieter spot, gloves or a spoon for messy play. Watching counts as joining in.

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Everyday moments

When your child… refuses new foods

Words to offer

“You can look at it and smell it. You don't have to taste it.”

Try

A fruit orchestra: look, touch, smell, tap — no pressure to eat. Offer the new food again another day, next to something familiar.

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Growing up

When your child… can't bear losing

Words to offer

“You really wanted to win. That's disappointing.”

Try

Short games where the adult loses too — and shows how: “Oh, I lost. I'm a bit disappointed. Again?”

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Growing up

When your child… compares themself or wants everything perfect

Words to offer

“It didn't turn out how you wanted. You can leave it like that.”

Try

The scribble game: take turns turning a wobbly line into something. Describe their choices, not the result.

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Growing up

When your child… broke something or had an accident

Words to offer

“It was an accident. Let's fix it together.”

Try

Mistakes are for learning: clean up or mend it together, without shame. If someone was upset, help your child offer help rather than a forced “sorry”.

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Big feelings

When your child… has lost something precious

Words to offer

“It mattered to you. I'll stay with you.”

Try

Name the sadness and stay close. No rush to replace it or cheer them up; a drawing of what was lost can help.

▶ Watch together: Uga and The Portrait

Friends

When your child… doesn't know what to do when a friend is sad

Words to offer

“You don't have to fix it. We can stay with them.”

Try

Play “Teddy is sad”: what could we do? Sit with him, bring a blanket, wait. Being there is already helping.

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Friends

When your child… leaves someone out, or is left out

Words to offer

“What could we change so we can all play together?”

Try

Change the game so everyone fits: a bigger circle, a new role, one more chair.

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Big feelings

When your child… is disappointed by a gift

Words to offer

“You hoped for something different. That's disappointing.”

Try

Accept the disappointment first. Later, make tiny gifts for each other and say why you chose them.

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Everyday moments

When your child… says “I'm bored!”

Words to offer

“You don't know what to do right now. We can just be here for a moment.”

Try

Don't fix it straight away: boredom often comes just before a new idea. Balancing games, a box of odds and ends, a slow walk to look at things.

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Big feelings

When your child… feels misunderstood

Words to offer

“Show me what happened before and after.”

Try

A shadow story with a torch: your child shows what happened; you watch and ask.

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Growing up

When your child… needs to feel proud

Words to offer

“You chose how to make it. Which part do you like?”

Try

Describe one choice they made (“you used three colours for the sky”) instead of saying “good job”.

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Friends

When your child… wants to belong in a group

Words to offer

“Your idea matters, and other people's ideas have a place too.”

Try

A family picnic where everyone chooses one part: the place, the food or the game.

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Growing up

When your child… has seen you lose your temper

Words to offer

“I got too angry. I'm going to take a pause, and then I'll come back.”

Try

Adults get it wrong too. Take a pause, come back and repair: “I shouted. I'm sorry. Let's try again.” Breathing slowly together helps you both.

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Growing up

When your child… just wants to wonder

Words to offer

“Look — it moves when you move!”

Try

A torch and a wall, reflections in water, a magnifying glass. Follow their lead.

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These are ideas, not rules: you know your child best. If big feelings are taking over your child's days — or yours — talk to your paediatrician, your child's teacher or a child psychologist.