Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day (4-8 years old)
This book is about different feelings and labeling those feelings. “Everyone has moods that change each day and that’s okay.”
This helps your child learn the words to different feelings and how each feeling may look. Reading this book with your child will help them gain the vocabulary to communicate successfully with us and their peers.
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry (4-8 years old)
The main character Sophie gets upset about her troy. We get angry sometimes. We see how Sophie utilizes a familiar/cozy place to help her go through her feelings in a safe way.
Children may not be ready to talk about their feelings at the moment. They need a safe and comfortable place to be able to go through their feelings until they are ready to rejoin in previous activities or start a new one. Sometimes children need to just let their feelings out. Do you feel that way sometimes?
The Emotions Book
Louie the Elephant has big emotions but he learns that maybe there are reasons for those feelings.
This book would help your child label their feelings and help them begin to think about what may be causing those feelings. Start having conversations with your children in a safe and calm way to help them think about what may be going on and how they can safely and effectively go through their emotions.
The Feelings Book (0-3 years old)
The Feelings Book is about different feelings and how it may look. “Sometimes I feel silly. Sometimes I feel like eating pasta for breakfast.” Feelings may look different for everyone!
Reading this with your child will help them learn the vocabulary to communicate with those around them. Feelings may look different for everyone! How does it look for you? It can spark conversations on what we do when we are happy, or angry or even silly.
Hands Are Not For Hitting (1-4 years old)
This book helps young children understand that hands hurt. There are many good uses for our wonderful hands.
This book can spark conversations with young children by keeping it positive. We can ask the children, “What can we use our hands for?” By phrasing it positively. This can lead to positive thinking in our children.
The Day You Begin (5-8 years old)
The main character Angelin encounters and overcomes feelings of difference from her peers.
With children, this book can help facilitate a conversation about our differences. This is a good way to start understanding and celebrating our differences, as well as others.
The New Small Person (4-8 years old)
Elmore has a tough time with the new little person in his life.
A lot of children become older siblings one day. This can be a tough time for them emotionally. Reading this book can help your child’s feelings be validated. They can learn to understand that having
Owl Babies (3-7 years old)
This book is about owl babies whose mom is gone. They wonder when she'll be back.
This book helps children understand that parents come back. It may be hard to understand why parents leave at first, but by having this conversation with your children, it can make separation easier.
Llama Llama Misses Mama (2-5 years old)
Llama Llama starts a new school and Mama has to leave. “But where is she going? Where am I?”
This book helps show that starting a new school can be a bit scary. But once you settle in, the school can be a fun and comfortable place to be; making new friends and playing with new toys is exciting. And most importantly, Mama always comes back!
Not A Box (0-4 years old)
The rabbit is doing something with that box. What could it be?
This book helps encourage children to “think outside the box.” What can we do with this box? Can it be turned into something else?
Harold and the Purple Crayon (4-8 years old)
This is about Harold and the adventure he goes on with his purple crayon to find his way home.
This book helps promote imagination and creativity. What can we use our crayons for? What can we draw? Draw with your child(ren), talk about what they are creating, and ask open-ended questions. The possibilities are endless!
Wonder (8-12 years old)
Auggie was born with a facial difference. He did not start in public school until the 5th grade. This book portrays the different views the people in the community have when they see Auggie.
This book can start conversations on differences. How do you feel? How do you think the other person feels? Aside from appearances, are they different from us?
The Book With No Pictures (5-8 years old)
This book literally has no pictures! But it shows that words can have so much power. Well, not just power but silliness as well!
This book helps us understand that we don't always need pictures to help tell a story. This book helps us see that words have power over the readers. They make us say anything that is on its pages.
Understanding
Behavior
-
Toddlers are in the process of learning self control and how to handle strong feelings (add example scenario) Now is the most crucial time to teach them how to handle difficult situations and how to act when things may not go their way
-
Root of behavior > big feelings. Before we talk about behavior we have to figure out what is causing that behavior? Behavior is a product of your child’s feelings. Help your child identify their emotions
-
Children’s feelings change very often throughout the day. One second they can be happy and the next they are crying over something (we as adults) see as miniscule. Your child can exhibit their tough emotions by: throwing a toy, crying on the floor, refusing to clean up, etc.
-
Misbehavior can often be used to get attention; when your child is “acting out” be sure to give them your undivided attention and if possible, carve out special one on one time daily.
-
How you react to your child’s outbursts is vital - you are modeling for your child
Managing
Behavior
-
Set limits and expectations that are age appropriate
-
Encourage them to use their words to express their feelings, offer choices/suggestions to help them. Children love to feel like they have control. “Would you like some help cleaning up?” “Should we read this book or this book after we clean up?” etc etc.
-
Stick to a schedule so your child knows what to expect > smoother transitions
-
Acknowledge your child’s feelings so they know they are being heard and given undivided attention. Calm tone of voice helps
-
“Okaying the feelings will help your child become mentally healthy and resilient. It doesn’t make them overly sensitive or emotional; instead it teaches them the healthy coping skills they’ll use all the way to adulthood.”
-
Consistency and patience is key. It’s going to be tough but after putting in the work, you (the parent) will benefit. Your child will be resilient and learn how to regulate their emotions and transition smoothly with little to no assistance from you
Check-in
With Yourself
-
If your own emotional bucket is empty, how well can you support your child’s emotions?
-
Children will be children and they WILL act out regardless. Give yourself a break!
-
Take care of yourself so you can be level headed and ready to take on difficult situations with your child.
-
If you are worn out, stressed and overwhelmed - you might act out of character and cause more stress to the situation. Now you AND your child are both having hard feelings.
-
Take 20-30 minutes in your day to check in with yourself. Write in a journal, practice self care, go for a walk alone, take a relaxing bath, etc.