Recognising and regulating emotions – helpful books for children
Recognising and regulating emotions is something most of our children find very difficult. Whilst our children are young, the adults around them will need to be very vigilant in spotting the signs that anxiety is escalating. As our children grow older and their emotional intelligence develops, they may be able to recognise their emotions and deploy their own coping skills more effectively. Books can be a good way to learn about emotions, and enable our children to develop understanding and skills, in a more indirect way.
Here are some general book ideas that may help:
How are you feeling today? This fun, friendly and reassuring introduction to feelings is designed to help young children recognise, understand and name how they’re feeling and learn to talk about and manage their emotions in helpful ways.
Now breathe…and relax. This write-in activity book is all about taking a little time to breathe, focus and be calm, with the help of some friendly sloths. Try a spot of yoga, colour in soothing squiggles or go on a sense safari – take a quiet moment, just for you. With links to Usborne Quicklinks with specially selected websites for more relaxation activities.
This inspiring write-in book is an unworry toolkit, full of things to calm you down and places to put your worries - and we all worry! Activities include creating a worry box, making a mood grid and mindfulness activities such as colouring, doodling and mazes. Written with the help of a psychologist, there are links to websites for tips and support too.