The Circle
Bottom of the Circle
Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind
Pop Culture Parenting
100

This Disney princess wanted to leave the island and explore beyond the reef.

Who is Moana?

100

Riley from Inside Out needed this after moving to a new city.

What is comfort?

100

Mufasa is a great example of being Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and _____.

What is Kind?

100

This Encanto character carried everyone’s problems and never asked for help.

Who is Luisa?

200

 The part of the Circle where children explore, learn, and discover.

What is the Top of the Circle?

200

When a child is hurt, scared, or sad, they are usually on this part of the Circle.

What is the Bottom of the Circle?

200

This Bluey dad often demonstrates Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind parenting.

Who is Bandit?

200

This Inside Out emotion showed the importance of “being with” someone in pain.

Who is Sadness?

300

Grogu touching every button on the Razor Crest is an example of this.

What is exploration?

300

Simba seeking comfort after losing Mufasa is an example of this need.

What is connection?

300

Being Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind does NOT mean being this.

What is perfect?

300

This Spider-Verse character struggled between independence and needing support from parents.

Who is Miles Morales?

400

A caregiver’s job at the top of the Circle is to watch over, delight in, help, and _____.

What is enjoy?

400

At the bottom of the Circle, children need us to protect, comfort, delight in, and help organize these.

What are feelings?

400

Sometimes being Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind means following your child’s need, and sometimes it means taking this.

What is the lead?

400

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is a great example of a family avoiding this emotion.

What is shame?

500

Miles Morales, Moana, and Harry Potter are all examples of children on this part of the Circle as they take risks, learn new skills, and explore their worlds.

What is the Top of the Circle?

500

When children are hurt, scared, overwhelmed, or ashamed, they need caregivers to provide these four things: protect, comfort, delight in, and help organize _____.

What are their feelings?

500

Being Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind means balancing a child’s need for exploration with their need for comfort, while remaining emotionally available and taking charge when necessary

What is the caregiver’s role on the Circle of Security?

500

In Frozen, Elsa hides her feelings and isolates herself because she believes her emotions are too dangerous for others. This core emotion is often pushed outside the Circle when caregivers struggle to be with it.

What is fear?

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