The best children’s books to help kids understand feelings and mental health
Little ones can have big feelings, and part of life is experiencing sadness, anger, or fear. We can’t prevent our children from these feelings, but we can help them understand and manage them.
It's important for our kids to be able to deal with their emotions in a healthy way—not only because it helps them feel better, but because it helps them develop into healthy adults who can handle their own emotions and those of others.
We want our children to live happy lives and have good relationships, and that starts with being able to manage their own emotions with grace and confidence. It's helpful for kids to know what they can do when they're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, so they can learn how to calm themselves down and make good decisions in tough situations. And also for them to be able to express themselves without hurting others or themselves.
In today’s blog, I’m going to share some recommendations for great children’s books that can teach your kiddos about their big range of emotions and feelings. The earlier that children learn how to manage their emotions, the more they’ll be able to have a healthy relationship with their feelings.
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis has written a bunch of fantastic children’s books that teach kids about self-esteem and liking yourself, grief ad loss, self-control, among many other important themes. Curtis’ book “Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods that Make My Day” help children learn how to identify and understand their different moods and emotions. By showing kids that it’s okay to be silly, it’s okay to be sad, it’s okay to be excited and that is all part of being human. Knowing how to communicate what they’re feeling paves the way for children to feel more comfortable expressing their emotions.
Even as adults, we can underestimate the power of taking deep breaths and grounding ourselves during times of stress. Imagine if, from a young age, your kiddos learned how to utilize deep breathing to regulate their emotions. How beneficial would that be?!
Well, that’s exactly what “Breathing Makes It Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and All the Feelings In-Between” aims to do. Written by author and Harvard Medical School educator Dr. Christopher Willard and holistic health educator and yoga teacher Wendy O'Leary, this book is an interactive story helping kids ages 3-6 understand how to use breathing techniques when dealing with difficult emotions like anger, fear, sadness, confusion, anxiety, and loneliness.
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneber
The first day of school can often make children anxious and nervous. Whether they’re starting a new school and don’t yet know anyone or aren’t familiar with the environment, or if they have some separation anxiety, the first day of school can be filled with anticipation, excitement, and anxiety.
“First Day Jitters” is a modern classic written by Julie Danneber with over 6,890 5-star ratings (and counting) on Amazon since its release in 2000. The story follows Sarah Jane Hartwell as she navigates feeling nervous about starting a new school year. This comforting and familiar story can help kids feel less alone.
Listening to My Body: Activities for Kids by Mallory Striesfeld, MS, LPC
I had to give a shout-out to my book, “Listening to My Body: Activities for Kids,” which is an interactive book for kids ages 3-5 to help them gain a greater sense of self-awareness and learn emotional regulation techniques.
Through fun activities, little ones can begin to understand how to make connections between how their bodies feel and their emotions, and teach them social-emotional skills that will remain with them forever.
A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinson
This newly released picture book does a brilliant job at teaching kids about depression, depression, sensory awareness, and the power of listening. Written by Rachel Tomlinson, a psychologist and author, “A Blue Kind of Day” follows the story of a young boy named Coen, who wakes up feeling sad and down and nothing seems to make him feel better. We see the sadness he feels through physical manifestations – with blue feelings radiating off of him – as well as through his teddy bear.
“A Blue Kind of Day” expresses what it’s like to feel depressed and how it might feel in your body. It can help kids understand depression in themselves, and also how they can understand and support those in their lives who may be struggling.
My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain
Written by Nadiya Hussain, the winner of the sixth season of The Great British Bake Show, “My Monster and Me” personifies the feeling of being worried constantly and places that emotion into the guise of a monster who follows a little boy around. The book focuses on helping children understand anxiety and how to express it and find healthy coping mechanisms.
