These awesome emotional regulation books for kids are the perfect way to open the discussion about self-regulation, feelings, and common emotional challenges that kids face every day!
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As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how important self-regulation is for children to succeed at home, at school, and beyond. Kids face huge self-regulation challenges every single day: navigating bustling and chaotic classrooms, negotiating play and complex social interactions on the playground and in the hallways of school, and meeting the demands of their peers, teachers, and parents. Not to mention the sensory demands that are placed on kids all day long – have you ever been in an elementary school cafeteria! 😳
Self-regulation isn’t just a skill; it’s a superpower that allows kids to navigate the ups and downs of everyday life with confidence.
Think of self-regulation as a toolbox filled with strategies and techniques that kids can access whenever they need them. Whether it’s calming breathing techniques, using DIY fidget tools to focus, or taking a movement break, these tools allow children to regulate their emotions and behaviors in various situations.
But here’s the thing: self-regulation isn’t always easy, especially for young children who are still learning to understand and express their feelings and others’ feelings. That’s where we, as parents/therapists/other professionals, come in. We’re here to provide support, guidance, and resources to help kids develop and strengthen their self-regulation skills in fun and engaging ways.
From self-regulation games and activities to mindfulness and guided meditation exercises for kids, there are countless ways to support self-regulation skills. By incorporating these strategies into everyday play and activities, we can help kids build the foundation for lifelong emotional well-being and success. And that’s a huge deal!
Emotional Regulation Books for Kids
A great place to start when it comes to self-regulation support is emotional regulation books and self regulation books for kids. Using fun and colorful books with engaging characters and stories is the perfect way to introduce concepts like understanding emotions, calming strategies, and how to navigate social challenges.
Over the years, we’ve used these awesome books with our kids at home and at work to support self-regulation. Check them out! And don’t miss these great mindfulness books for kids!
The Bad Seed by Jory John
This is one of my all-time favorite kids books because it opened up a conversation with my kids about the fact that there is no such thing as a “bad person” or a “bad kid”. The book does a great job of showing that people’s behaviors are a reflection of their experiences and emotions.
Coping Skills for Kids Books
These interactive books and resources from our friend, Janine Halloran are perfect for any professional who works with kids on coping skills, social skills, and self-regulation. Janine is an experienced Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has spent years developing this amazing line of resources!
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
I love this book so much because the takeaway is that we can’t bury our emotions or push them away. We just need to feel our way through them. And sometimes, the only way to get through hard feelings is with a friend quietly at your side.
First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John
If you have a kiddo who is feeling nervous about the first day of school or the first day of a new activity – this is the book for you! It’s such a cute story about a group of animals who are all bringing their own anxieties to the first day of school and how they work together to support each other!
Zara’s Big Messy Day (That Turned Out Okay) by Rebekah Borucki
Another long-time favorite of mine! In this book, Zara’s mom teaches her an awesome technique to help her calm herself down when she’s feeling frustrated or angry. This book makes the perfect introduction to a classroom or group session about self-regulation strategies.
My Mouth Is A Volcano: A Picture Book About Interrupting by Julia Cook
The title of this book says it all! If you have a kiddo who won’t stop interrupting others (at home, in the classroom, or elsewhere) – this book is the perfect thing! Louis learns firsthand how frustrating it can be when people interrupt others and he learns a strategy to remind him to wait his turn to speak.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner
This is an interactive workbook, great for kids in elementary school to work through discussions about worry and anxiety.
TOO MUCH! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez
For kids who struggle with hypersensitivites to sound, touch, and other sensory experiences – this book is a great way to bring attention to what’s causing them to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated! It’s also great for talking to children about sensory differences and explaining why peers may be having difficulty in the classroom and in other settings.
How do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad by Jane Yolen
This cute story is about all the ways that kids might act out when they’re feeling mad or frustrated – illustrated through the point of view of a dinosaur!
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
A great book for kids who are working on identifying and understanding emotions! The pictures are adorable and the book gives examples of different situations where kids might feel different emotions.
Breathing Makes it Better by Christopher Willard
This is another one of my favorite books because it empowers kids with a strategy to use when they’re feeling any emotion. It also talks about how emotions are fleeting and that we can calm ourselves through breathing.
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
For kids who are struggling with conflict in their peer relationships, this story is perfect. It shows that we are often most resistant to situations (and people) that we don’t know or understand. But a bit of experience and connection goes a long way toward starting and repairing relationships!
The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
If you are working with a child who is a sensitive soul and feels things deeply – you need this book! It’s such a sweet story about how hard it can be to feel things so deeply, but that being sensitive is a gift!
We hope you’ll try these out and report back! Do your kids gravitate toward books that talk about common self-regulation scenarios? Do books like these open up discussions about how to manage challenging self-regulation situations? We hope so!
Looking for more self-regulation resources for kids? Check out the links below!
Self-Regulation Resources for Kids
We have ton of great freebies, activities, and other resources related to self-regulation and emotional regulation for kids! Here are some of our favorites!
Self-Regulation Red Flags for Kids [FREE Printable]
Learn more about common red flags in kids that may indicate self-regulation concerns that require intervention.
Learning to Share
Check out our favorite tips, toys, and strategies to work on this important social skill!
Toys and Games for Self-Regulation
These fun toys and games are a great way to practice emotional regulation skills with kids.
How to Help Kids With Self-Regulation: 30 Games and Activities
Check out some of our favorite self-regulation games and activities that can be done during therapy sessions, in the classroom, or at home to support these important skills!
Free Printable Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids
This free printable emotional regulation activity is an amazing resource to work on identifying emotions and understanding emotions.
Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids: Digital Games
Try this fun digital interactive game to help kids acknowledge and understand their feelings.
