Learning how to handle your child’s emotions can be tough as a parent. Parents often realize that they weren’t taught at a young age to identify and cope with strong emotions. It can be difficult to see your child having big feelings and not knowing how to handle them. Reading together can help parents talk to young children and teens about emotions.
The books mentioned in this article have all been read and positively reviewed by Parent Trust staff. All our book photos and titles link to our Amazon Associates store. Buying through our link sends a percentage of the sale to Parent Trust! You can also find many of these titles in your local library.
Cornelia Maude Spelman, MSW and former therapist, has written a great book series to help you teach emotional awareness to your child. The 8-book series, The Way I Feel >>, focuses on one emotion per book. Each book explores reasons to feel that emotion, and ways to cope with it. In addition, the books begin with a page for caregivers on how hard it can be to watch your child have big feelings, and how to handle it as a parent. Some emotions covered include: fear, anger, worried, jealous, and proud.
This book ends with various ways to make yourself feel better when you’re sad. These coping skills include: talking to an adult, sitting close to someone you love, playing with friends, and doing some artwork.
The illustrations are adorable and truly communicate how it feels to experience sadness. This book is a great tool to discuss emotions and coping skills with a wide age of kids from toddlers to young school children (ages 2-7).
Remember, though – if this book series doesn’t work for you, just try something else. Our Family Help Line Coaches are always glad to make recommendations; call us at 1-800-932-4673, and your local library is a great source too – just ask your librarian for help.
Other books that may be of Interest:
If you are interested in working on this area with teens, non-violent communication is a method of communicating feelings and needs that may be helpful. There are numerous books written by the founder, of the movement, Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, including Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life >>, which may be helpful in teaching yourself and your teen about communicating emotions.