What Are Some Books That Teach Children To Safely Express Feelings?

  • 21 February 2018
  • Posted by: CDC
  • Category: Parent Tips,
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In recent years, there has been a great focus on developing social and emotional learning (SEL) in school-aged children. A few books can help to guide families in exploring various emotions. These books explore that all feelings are okay, but it is what and how we deal with emotions that is important. At the CDC, we discuss and plan for safe ways to express our feelings with families with young children, including tools and strategies in helping and dealing with big feelings.

My Many Colored Days
Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss connected the use of colours to show different emotions throughout the day. It is also ok to talk about the different colours that might represent you and your children as we all might see colours differently. We can also encourage to talk about strategies and tools if we feel certain ways.

Calm-Down Time
Elizabeth Verdick

Calm-Down Time describes various great strategies and tools to teach young children that we all feel sad or mad sometimes. The story helps to build protective factors including time for myself and seeking for help. These are some essential self-management and relationship skills.

Owl Babies
Martin Waddell

Owl Babies talks about a baby feeling worried and anxious about mummy being away. These owl babies are supportive of each other and talk about what they are looking forward to when mummy comes home. It is a great story to share with siblings. Sometimes we encourage older siblings to be brave, but it is also okay for them to feel worried too.

The Way I Feel
Janin Cain

This is a book full of feelings with colourful illustrations. It is an extremely fun read in kindergarten and lower primary. There are lots of essential feeling vocabularies to teach. Teachers and parents can use this book to explore how others might express and show different feelings. This will encourage personal awareness and increase social awareness.

The Invisible String
Patrice Karst

The story highlights the special connections between people we love, even if we don’t see each other. It is a great story to read with kids as they learn to be independent or missing someone they love. Who is tugging your invisible string?

These books are also read on some YouTube channels if you cannot find them at your local bookstores!