'Cracks in the Ice' - A Therapeutic Parenting Story
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Welcome to Cracks in the Ice - a gentle story to help children feel safe, seen and soothed.
Some children worry quietly. Some show their fear in big, loud ways. And some freeze altogether, not sure what to say or do. Cracks in the Ice is a tender story about those moments - when feelings feel too big, and the world feels too shaky.
We follow Fox, Rabbit and Tortoise as they cross a frozen lake with Mama Bear. Along the way, there are stumbles, squabbles, fibs and fears - but also warmth, tea, and a steady adult who never leaves their side.
Written for children with a developmental age of 4 to 10, this story helps adults open up conversations about anxiety, trust, mistakes and repair. It’s especially helpful for children who’ve experienced early adversity, separation, or trauma.
Mama Bear models therapeutic parenting without even realising it - using empathy, playfulness, gentle curiosity, and connection to help the little ones feel safe.
This short course includes:- A gentle quiz to support you in understanding the therapeutic messages woven through the story.
- A digital copy of the full story to read together with your child (or children)
Whether you're a foster carer, adoptive parent, kinship carer, or simply someone supporting a child who finds the world tricky to manage - this story is here to offer calm in the cracks.
This course is available to you for free. Don't forget to download the digital story!
This is great. You should make more therapeutic stories please.
deborah
It’s absolutely fantastic and there very useful tips!
katie
If you're a foster carer or other professional working with children, this certificate is a record of your Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
CPD Minutes: 20
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This story encourages emotional literacy by modelling safe, supportive relationships where children’s feelings are validated. Mama Bear’s calm presence demonstrates attunement and active listening, giving carers a framework to help children name and explore difficult emotions.
The cracks beneath Rabbit’s feet and the responses of the other animals symbolise risk, safety, and repair. The story can be used to explore moments of dysregulation, danger, or emotional overwhelm in a non-threatening way. It helps children understand that when they "crack," trusted adults are there to keep them safe.
While not literally about children going missing, the story metaphorically addresses moments when children emotionally withdraw or disconnect. Carers can use the narrative to explore the idea of emotional absence and the importance of being noticed and gently brought back into connection.
Cracks in the Ice models regulation and co-regulation, showing how carers can help children return to calm. The story promotes messages of containment, consistency, and recovery—all vital to fostering emotional wellbeing.
The story encourages shared reading and meaningful time together. This helps to build positive associations with quiet time, storytelling, and imagination—vital for children whose early play experiences may have been disrupted.
Mama Bear doesn’t lecture or shame Rabbit when she freezes. Instead, she stays close, modelling PACE-informed (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) responses. Carers can use the story to reflect on therapeutic approaches to behaviour and how presence, not punishment, fosters safety and trust.
The story functions as a developmental tool for carers, helping them reflect on their own responses to fear, hesitation, and regulation.
Using the story in reflective practice or supervision could be part of a carer's CPD, especially in trauma-informed care.
