Tantrums and big emotions are a normal part of childhood, but teaching kids how to manage their feelings is an essential life skill. Books are a great way to introduce emotional regulation in a way that’s engaging and easy for young minds to understand. Here are three must-read books to help your child recognize and cope with their emotions.
1. "The Color Monster" by Anna Llenas
This beautifully illustrated book helps children associate emotions with colors—yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, and more. It’s a great way to teach kids to recognize and talk about their feelings.
Key Lesson: Identifying emotions is the first step toward managing them.
2. "When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…" by Molly Bang
Sophie’s story explores what happens when anger takes over and how she finds a way to calm down. The book validates frustration while modeling healthy ways to cool off, like taking deep breaths and spending time alone.
Key Lesson: It’s okay to feel angry, but there are positive ways to handle it.
3. "Ruby Finds a Worry" by Tom Percival
Ruby discovers a growing "worry" that won’t go away—until she learns that talking about it makes it shrink. This book is perfect for kids who struggle with anxiety or stress.
Key Lesson: Sharing worries with someone you trust makes them feel smaller.
By turning pages together, you can help your child tame tantrums and build emotional resilience. Have a favorite book on emotions? Share it in the comments!
Till next week, parents!