Let's Talk About Feelings!

Hello there! We all have feelings, big and small, and at Botley School, we think it's super important to understand them. This page is here to help you and your child explore the wonderful world of emotions together, and what better way to do that than through the magic of stories? We've gathered some fantastic book recommendations to help spark conversations about feelings.

Why are Feelings Important?

Think of feelings as little messages. They tell us what's happening inside! When we understand our feelings, we can:

• Make good friends and have happy relationships.
• Feel strong when things get tricky.
• Make smart choices.
• Shine bright and do our best!

Helping Your Little One Understand Their Feelings (and Through Stories!)

• Name those feelings! Sometimes just saying how we feel can help. "Are you feeling a bit sad today?" or "Wow, you look excited!"

• Listen with your heart: When your child talks about their feelings, really listen. It's okay if you don't always understand, just being there means a lot.

• Share your own feelings: It's okay to say, "I felt a little worried today too." It shows we're all human!

• Stories and books: Let's explore feelings together! Reading together is a fantastic way to understand and discuss emotions. Here are a few recommended books, each with a little introduction to what makes them special:

  • Exploring the Lighter Side:

    • "How are you peeling?" by Saxton Freymann: A playful and creative book that uses food to explore different emotions, making it a fun way to start conversations about feelings.
    • "Hello Happy, activity book" by Katie Abey: An interactive book filled with fun activities that encourage children to explore and express their happy feelings.

  • Understanding the Spectrum of Emotions:

    • "My Many Colored Days" by Dr. Seuss: Dr. Seuss's classic uses colourful imagery to illustrate how our feelings can change throughout the day.
    • "The Colour Monster" by Anna Llenas: This colourful book helps children identify and understand different emotions through a vibrant monster who changes colour with each feeling.
    • "In My Heart: A Book of Feelings" by Jo Witek: This beautifully illustrated book explores the range of emotions that children experience, using metaphors to describe each feeling.

  • Navigating Difficult Emotions:

    • "The Boy with Big Feelings" by Britney Winn Lee: This book validates and celebrates big feelings, showing children that it's okay to experience a wide range of emotions.
    • "A Box of Butterflies" by Jo Rook: A gentle story that helps children understand and process feelings of anxiety and worry.
    • "When Sadness Comes to Call" by Eva Eland: A gentle and comforting story that personifies sadness, helping children understand that it's okay to experience sad feelings.
    • "When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry" by Molly Bang: This book explores the intense feeling of anger and provides a visual representation of how it can feel.

  • Finding Calm and Relaxation:

    • "A Boy and a Bear" by Lori Lite: This book introduces mindfulness and relaxation techniques, helping children learn how to manage stress and anxiety.

• Let them create! Drawing, painting, or even just playing can help little ones show how they feel.

Helping Your Child Feel Better:

• Little ways to feel better: Deep breaths, a cuddle, or talking to someone they trust can help.
• Show them how you handle feelings: Children learn by watching us!
• Make a safe space: A place where they know they can always talk about anything.
• Be patient, little steps! Learning about feelings takes time, and that's okay.

Helpful Links:

• Come see what our ELSA team is up to! Botley School ELSA
• More tips and tricks for parents: Parents' Self-Help Resources

We're here for you!

If you're ever worried about your child's feelings, please reach out to us at school. We're always happy to help!