1. What age group is the Heartfelt Family Rules designed for?

The Heartfelt Family Rules are designed for families with children ages 3 and up. The tactile felt hearts and simple rules make it easy for younger children to engage however the overall system and activities easily grow with your family, making them meaningful for older children too.​

​

2. Do I need to use the felt hearts, or can I use the rules on their own?
The rules can be used on their own but the recommendation is to pair them with the felt hearts for a hands-on, visual learning experience. The felt hearts add a tactile and memorable element that helps children connect with the rules in a deeper way, but the framework works beautifully with or without them.

​

3. How do I introduce the rules to my family?

Start by sharing the idea that each heart color represents a special family value. Introduce one or two rules at a time, maybe during a family meal or quiet moment together. Use the felt hearts as visual tools to spark conversations and navigate tricky moments. These hearts gradually integrate into a regular part of your daily routine and over time, the hearts become familiar reminders of what matters most in your home.

 

4. Are the felt hearts safe for children younger than 3?
The standard felt hearts are approximately 1–1.5 inches in size and are not recommended for children under 3 years old due to choking hazards. For younger children, a version of the kit with larger hearts (over 3 inches) that is safe for children under 3 is coming soon! 

​

5. Can I customize the rules for my family?
Yes! The system is flexible and can be personalized to fit your family’s unique dynamics. *Soon a complete Guidebook will be available full of resources and tips for creating your own rules and adapting the Heartfelt Family Rules to suit your needs*

​

6. How do I use the rules for conflict resolution?
The Heartfelt Family Rules are designed to encourage open conversations during conflicts. Ask questions like, “Is there a heart being broken? What color? How can we mend it?” This approach helps children reflect on their actions and find solutions with empathy and understanding. *Soon a complete Guidebook will be available full of resources and tips for addressing ocnflict resolution with the Heartfelt Family Rules*

​

7. Are there additional resources available?
Additional resources are a work in progress! A Guidebook for parents and caregivers is currently in the works that features a step-by-step guide for getting started, goal setting activities for working with the Heartfelt system, reflection prompts to spark family conversations, personalization tips to adapt the rules to your unique dynamics, and enthusiastic encouragement to keep you inspired. We also hope to offer add-ons like the Needle Felting Kit to craft your own hearts, heartfelt journals for creative expression, and bonus digital downloads for more specific  topics like sibling dynamics and weekly reflections activities. 

​

8. Do I need the Complete Kit to use the rules?
Not at all. While the Complete Kit includes everything you need to get started, individual products like the printed rules, guidebook, or felt hearts can also be purchased separately to fit your family’s needs.

​

9. Can I use this in a classroom or group setting?
Yes, the Heartfelt Family Rules can be a wonderful tool for classrooms, daycare centers, or group environments. The rules and felt hearts encourage teamwork, communication, and respect in any setting. This system is a great way to bring students together and get them excited about caring for one another and the space around them.

​

10. How do I know if the Heartfelt Family Rules are right for me?
The Heartfelt Family Rules are perfect for families looking for a tactile social-emotional based approach to parenting. If you want to nurture kindness, respect, and cooperation while building stronger connections with your children, this system is a great fit. Whether you’re facing challenging behaviors, want to encourage teamwork, or are simply looking for clear tools to support emotional development with your kiddos the Heartfelt Family Rules provides a practical, customizable framework to support your parenting journey.