FAQs

How do children use these companions?

There’s no single or right way.

Most families use Rune and Indi as part of everyday moments – not formal conversations. Children often cuddle them, keep them nearby or use the hidden pocket to keep a drawing, note or small object that represents how they’re feeling.

The companion becomes a quiet bridge between what a child feels and what they’re ready to share.

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What is the ritual?

The ritual is intentionally simple.

It usually looks like:

• choosing the companion
• placing something in the pocket (a drawing, symbol or note)
• sitting together quietly or letting the child do this on their own

There’s no pressure to explain feelings or talk it through. Adults can simply acknowledge the moment and keep the routine consistent.

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When do families tend to use them?

Families often reach for these companions:

• at bedtime
• after school
• during periods of change (new school, moving house, holidays)
• when emotions feel big or hard to name.

They’re designed to be returned to again and again, not used once.

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What ages are they best for?

These companions are best suited to children aged 4 to 9, when emotional awareness is growing faster than language.

They can also be appropriate for:

• slightly younger children who engage through imaginative play
• older children (up to around 10–12) who prefer non-verbal expression

Every child is different – the key factor is whether they respond to gentle, imaginative play.

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Is this a therapeutic product?

No.

These companions don’t diagnose, treat or replace professional support. They’re a play-based tool designed to support emotional expression in everyday family life.

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Why it matters

Why emotional support through play works

Children don’t process emotions the same way adults do.

Before they can explain how they feel, children make sense of the world through:

• play
• imagination
• repetition
• routine.

Soft toys and imaginative companions give children something external to project feelings onto, which often feels safer than direct conversation.

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Why a companion – not a conversation

When children are asked to explain emotions before they’re ready, it can feel overwhelming or scary.

A companion allows feelings to:

• exist without explanation
• be acknowledged without pressure
• be shared indirectly, if and when the child chooses.

This supports emotional development without forcing language too early.

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Why consistency matters

These companions are designed to be lived with – kept nearby, returned to and included in routines.

Over time, children learn:

• feelings come and go
• they can be held safely
• support doesn’t require urgency or fixing.

That’s the quiet power of rituals.

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Why families choose Rune and Indi

Parents often choose these companions because they:

• don’t feel loud or gimmicky
• don’t require doing anything the 'right way'
• fit naturally into home life
• respect the child’s pace.

They’re simple by design – because that’s what children respond to.