Bibliotherapy is an excellent way of helping children make sense of their world.
Reading allows children to see how people think, feel, and problem-solve. While at the same time they find validation in their thoughts and feelings when they see characters experiencing situations and feelings that mirror their own.
Below are some of my favorite children’s books that foster understanding of self and others.
Below you will find books on:
Empathy/ Race/ Feelings/ Separation Anxiety/ Growth Mindset Mindfulness/ Body Safety/ Grief and Loss/ Anxiety and Fear Anger and Frustration/ Divorce/ Gender Identity/ Inclusion Bedtime
Clicking on the book title allows you to directly purchase from this site.
Empathy is your child’s ability to understand and recognize the feelings and perspectives of those around them.
RACE and DIVERSITY
We can help our children understand racism through discussion, books and our daily actions. Understanding racial diversity empowers our children to work toward racial equality.
FEELINGS
Your child has a variety of reactions to the experiences around them. Fostering a conscious recognition of feelings builds their capacity to respond in an emotionally sound way.
SEPARATION ANXIETY
Separation from caregivers is a major point of stress for young children. It is important to share with children appropriate tools to manage the situations that cause them the most anxiety.
GROWTH MINDSET
Growth mindset is developing the skill of learning from mistakes, and finding new ways to approach tasks.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is bringing one’s awareness to the present moment without judgement. Focusing on thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity.
BODY SAFETY
Children are never too young to discuss body safety. Helping children to set boundaries around touch empowers them in the face of uncertainty.
GRIEF and LOSS
Experiencing grief is a different and often confusing process for kids. As a parent, you can’t protect a child from the pain of loss, but you can help him feel safe.
ANXIETY and FEAR
Anxiety is more than just a temporary fear—it is a constant state of worry or nervousness for some children. Caregivers can give words to child’s worries by sharing picture books.
ANGER and FRUSTRATION
Children become angry and frustrated for a variety of reasons. We can teach children that it’s okay to be angry, but it’s how we manage that anger that makes all the difference
DIVORCE
Divorce and separation can be a highly stressful event in a child’s life. Parents can help navigate this transition by helping children identify their feelings as well as tools to navigate the ups and downs.
GENDER IDENTITY
Children pick up messages about gender from the day they’re born. It’s important to teach your child that their gender doesn’t limit them.
INCLUSION
Inclusion is about learning to live with one another despite our differences. Learning to be inclusive results in greater empathy and acceptance of all.
BEDTIME
Nighttime fears are common in children. Encourage your child to talk about what they are afraid of and why.