‘Smart Teddy’ rolled out to help preschoolers manage big emotions

A new “smart teddy bear” initiative is being rolled out across Western Australia, as new data reveals growing concerns  about young children’s emotional development. 

MercyCare has become the first early learning provider in Australia to embed the Tedology initiative across all its Early  Learning Centres, introducing a unique, evidence-informed approach to helping children understand and regulate  their emotions. 

The initiative comes as the 2026 Profile of Children and Young People in WA highlights a decline in toddlers’ social  competence and emotional maturity, prompting calls for earlier intervention. 

Developed by clinical psychologist Dr Louise Mansell, Tedology combines a specially designed sensory teddy bear with  guided audio activities and educator-led exercises to build emotional literacy and self-regulation skills in young  children. 

Unlike traditional wellbeing tools, the Tedology Bear is interactive and multi-sensory, featuring fidget-friendly paws,  tactile elements and prompts that encourage children to engage, self-soothe and express how they’re feeling. 

Dr Mansell said the initiative helps bridge a critical gap for young children who struggle to articulate emotions. 

“Children don’t always have the words to explain how they’re feeling, especially when they’re overwhelmed,” she  said. 

“The Tedology Bear gives them a safe, comforting way to explore those emotions, with simple guided strategies that  help them understand and manage what’s going on inside.” 

MercyCare Early Services Innovation & Performance Lead, Courtney Barnard said the organisation had made  children’s emotional wellbeing a core focus, with the Tedology rollout marking a significant step forward. 

“The Australian Early Development Census data shows that almost one in four children across Australia will experience  a developmental delay,” Ms Barnard said.  

“Tedology provides educators with practical, engaging and child-focussed strategies, to effectively support children  seeking emotional regulation and guidance.” 

“We know more children are arriving at early learning needing support with emotional regulation, and this gives us a  practical, engaging way to help,” she said. 

“Being the first provider in Australia to implement Tedology across all our centres means every child in our care has  access to consistent, evidence-informed support from their earliest years.” 

The initiative has already seen strong engagement across MercyCare’s 12 Early Learning Centres, with children  naturally drawn to the bear’s sensory features and calming activities.

“They love the breathing exercises, the tactile elements and the emotion cards as it helps them settle, reset and feel  safe,” Ms Barnard said. 

“Importantly, we’re also investing in educator training, so this isn’t just a resource, it’s embedded into how we  support children every day.” 

Research shows that 90 per cent of brain development occurs before the age of five, making early childhood a critical  window for building emotional resilience and lifelong wellbeing.