Were you aware that the entire month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This has been an annual observance since 1949. I don’t think many people are aware of that. I think primarily that might be because in the past there was such a negative stigma attached to the terms “mental health” and “mental illness.”
Mental Health Awareness Month was created to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions, educating the public and offering support for those with mental health conditions.
In many schools across the country social emotional learning (SEL) is also being taught. SEL education aims to help children starting at a young age to understand and manage their emotions, have empathy towards others, establish health relationships and make responsible decisions. In a nutshell is teaches self awareness and social awareness. What is learned through SEL can help prevent certain mental health issues down the road.
It’s never too early to teach SEL to children. Parents can even teach skills at home. Helping a child to identify their emotions (happy, sad, scared, lonely…) and validating them, showing empathy towards others, problem solving and effective ways to deal with emotions (for example deep breathing when feeling overwhelmed) are just a few things parents can do.
One of the easiest ways to help your child with social emotional learning is through books. When a child sees characters dealing with emotions or social situations they have experienced personally it helps them to realize what they are feeling is not unique to them. Through these stories, children can learn how to handle their situations in a safe, imaginative way, proving that they are never alone in how they feel.
Here are a few new books that are available that can help your child or grandchild with social emotional learning.
Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions
Written by Mike Wohnoutka – a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner
In this adorable shows a group of children going through a typical day where they experience a variety of emotions from the highs to the lows. For example, one page will show an example of “confident” and the opposite will show “worried.” Each 2-page section shows a positive emotion (“ups”) and the opposite page a negative emotion (“downs”). There are a variety of situations from home to school and out-and-about, that children might experience during the day.
There are both boys and girls featured in this book which helps to get the point across that EVERYBODY experiences these emotions and there is nothing “abnormal’ about them.
I love the soft, minimalist illustrations that really help to express each emotion featured inside the book.
This book is geared towards children with a reading age of 3-7 years old.
Jayden Noticed
Written by Carolyn Crimi and illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice.
Jayden is a curious and very observant child. He very aware of the details of the things all around him from the design of spider webs to the way the moon looks a little different each night. He also loves to collect rocks. He names each of the rocks (wishing rock, homework rock,
When Jayden’s family moves to a new home he notices all the differences between his new home and his old home. He also noticed a boy on the other side of the fence. Sadly, he didn’t have his “courage rock” with him to start up a conversation with the boy next door, so he used his “wishing rock” to help him engage in a conversation with him. To his surprise, the boy also loved to notice things just like Jayden. Now Jayden has a new friend in his new home town.
This book is a great example of how people should stop and take notice of the world around them. I teaches children to be present in the moment. It’s also about believing you can do something even if you think you can’t. A great example would be that Jayden was able to approach the boy he didn’t know even though he didn’t have his “courage rock” to help him.
I really like the idea of the rock collection too. It would be fun to do something like this with the kids I work with.
I Told a Little Lie
Written by Emmy Award Winner Judith Henderson
This is a great book that teaches how telling even a little lie can have big consequences.
A little girl happens across a random balloon and catches it. Then a group of ants see her with the balloon and think it’s her birthday. Rather than tell the truth, the little girl lets them believe it is her birthday. When they start talking about the party and the cake, the little girl realizes that the little lie has turned into something bigger. How will she get out of it?
This is a GREAT book for teaching children that there are consequences for telling a lie, even a little lie. I love that it doesn’t come right out and say “don’t tell lies” but rather shows that telling a lie will eventually catch up to you and it won’t be easy to “back peddle” on it.
The illustrations are really cute. I love the little ants in birthday hats.
Sasha Feels Shy
Written by Natalia Shaloshvili
This adorable book is about friendship, confidence and social skills.
Sasha has a play date with Leo. Sasha is very shy whereas Leo is full of energy and ideas. Sasha is afraid to do the things Leo wants to do because she lacks confidence and is very shy. She can picture herself doing the things Leo wants to do, but she’s too shy. That makes her sad and eventually makes Leo sad too because he really wants to be friends with Sasha and have fun with her. When Sasha finally admits to Leo how she feels he lets her know that he feels the same way too at times. Knowing that she’s not alone in her feelings gives her the confidence to finally join Leo with all the fun and games talked to her about.
I like that this story shows a child being shy and how Leo having empathy for her and letting her know that he also has those feelings too. It helps a child know they are not the only one who feels things and that others feel them too.
As a shy person myself, I can see myself in Sasha.
I love the illustrations in this book too. It’s hard to explain them but they are very unique. The characters are super cute too.
Color Your Happy: A Cute and Cozy Coloring Book
by Emily Coxhead
This isn’t necessarily a book that teaches SEL but rather a coloring books filled with happy and cheerful coloring pages.
I love to color. My husband, believe it or not, loves to color too. We both find it very relaxing and soothing. It’s one of my “go-to” ways to de-stress.
This book isn’t just for children. Adults can enjoy coloring in this book too.
Fine markers and colored pencils would work best when coloring in this book.
All these books are currently available at retail locations including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
By incorporating books into a child’s daily routine is one of the most effective and accessible ways to teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills at home. Books offer diverse stories and are a “safe space” way for children to learn skills like empathy and self-awareness as they navigate their feelings alongside relatable characters. Whether it’s learning to manage a “down” day or discovering the power of noticing others, books teach children how to express their emotions. By choosing books that prioritize emotional intelligence, you are giving your child the foundation to build resilience, healthy relationships, and a lifetime of mental well being.
Kimberly
*I received free book samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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