how to teach kids to trust their inner voice
there’s a moment when kids start to look outside themselves for answers. they begin to ask: is this right? is this wrong? what should I do? and slowly, almost without noticing, that clear inner knowing they once had starts to quiet down.
we don’t mean for it to happen—but the world is full of lines. right and wrong. black and white. this way or that way. but what about everything in between?
why this matters
kids are naturally intuitive. they follow what feels interesting. they notice things adults overlook. they ask questions that don’t always have clean answers. that instinct—to pause, to feel, to wonder—is something worth protecting. because later in life, that same instinct becomes: creativity, confidence, decision-making, self-trust. and without it, it’s easy to lose your way.
what it looks like
it doesn’t always look bold or obvious. sometimes it looks like: choosing something different than everyone else; asking “why?” one more time; following a curiosity that doesn’t make sense yet; or having the mind feel unsure, but trusting that gut feeling adn moving forward anyway. it’s not about always getting it right, or at least so far as the mind would deem an outcome. it’s about learning to listen, and trusting that whatever comes from that decision, is ultimately a step on our best path.
how we can support this in kids
we don’t have to teach kids intuition—they already have it. but we can help them keep it. a few simple ways: make space for their questions; let them explore without rushing to correct; validate their feelings, even when they’re inconvenient; remind them that there isn’t always just one right answer. the goal isn’t certainty. it’s trust. it's a peace that our internal voice can never guide us wrong.
where The Story of Gray came from
and, this gray space, where imagination and intuition live, that’s actually what inspired my newest children’s book, The Story of Gray. it’s an illustrated journey about a boy who chooses to step outside the lines and trust his inner voice—even when it would be easier not to. Gray follows his intuition, and even though he cannot get his friends or family to see his vision, he does not let his dream die. ultimately, through surrendering to how and when his dream has to appear for others to see, living in the joy of it already being there, it manifests for all to see.
my art process
as with my previous book, i am alive, every illustration is built by hand from scraps of recycled magazines. layer by layer, piece by piece. in some ways, the process mirrors the story itself: discovery, curiosity, and trusting where something is leading, even when you can’t fully see it yet.
it’s the kind of story that invites both kids and adults to pause and wonder: where in my own life am i not listening to the gentle nudges within? where am i letting fear and doubt win?
The Story of Gray is a reminder for children and adults alike; whenever the world seems cloudy, chaotic, confusing, there is always a calm if we turn inside. following this peace, what brings us joy, will never lead us astray.
subscribe for Monday sprinkles
get the behind-the-scenes, down low on designs & exclusive sales!