What is The Big Feelings Book for Children about?
The Big Feelings Book for Children is a mindfulness-based kids book that helps children manage anger, excitement, anxiety, and sadness. It uses short, simple calming tools and thought exercises children can try when big feelings show up.
Who wrote The Big Feelings Book for Children?
The book was written by Sharon Selby, MA. She is a registered clinical counselor who has worked with children, teens, and families for many years.
What emotions does this book help children with?
This book focuses on four common big feelings: anger, excitement, anxiety, and sadness. Each section gives children specific ways to notice the feeling and respond to it.
How does this book help kids calm down?
It helps kids calm down through mindfulness moments, breathing exercises, movement activities, and simple thought-based prompts. The book encourages children to slow down, notice what they feel, and try tools that help them regulate.
Does this book teach coping skills for anger and anxiety?
Yes, it includes coping tools for both anger and anxiety. For anger, it uses activities like Traffic Light, Volcano Breathing, and Magic Words, and for anxiety it includes exercises like Wash Away the Worry Wave, Starfish Breathing, and What's My Can-Do?
What kinds of activities are in The Big Feelings Book for Children?
The book includes breathing exercises, visualization prompts, movement-based calming activities, and simple ways to talk about feelings. Examples include Butterfly Hug, Shake Out the Wiggles, Circle Breathing, and imagining a happy place.
Is this book more of a storybook or an activity-based feelings book?
It is an activity-based feelings book rather than a storybook. The book is organized around short tools and exercises children can use when they are feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.
Can children use this book when they are upset in the moment?
Yes, the book is designed for moments when feelings are rising or starting to come down. A note to caregivers explains that the activities work best before a child is fully escalated or as they begin calming down.
Do kids need an adult to use this book?
Sometimes, yes. The book is written for children, but it also includes a note to caregivers and educators, which suggests adult support can be helpful, especially when a child is highly upset.
Is The Big Feelings Book for Children useful for parents, teachers, or counselors?
Yes, it can be useful for caregivers and educators as well as children. The book includes guidance for adults and offers simple emotional regulation activities that can be used at home or in supportive settings.
What is the format of the book?
The book is organized by emotion, with four tools in each section. Children can go to the section for anger, excitement, anxiety, or sadness and try one of the short mindfulness activities there.
Are the exercises beginner-friendly for kids?
Yes, the exercises are very simple and concrete. They use easy language, body movement, breathing, and imagination so children can follow along without needing advanced reading or emotional skills.
Does the book help children talk about their feelings?
Yes, it encourages children to name and express what they feel. For example, the Magic Words activity teaches children to say, "I feel angry," and the sadness section also encourages talking about sad feelings.
Will this book help a child who gets overstimulated or too excited?
Yes, one full section is devoted to excitement that feels too big or disruptive. It includes calming and release activities like Tingling Hands, Butterfly Hug, Shake Out the Wiggles, and Jack-in-the-Box Jumps.
If my child struggles with big feelings, is this book a good fit?
Yes, this book is a good fit for children who need simple tools for handling strong emotions. It is especially useful for kids who benefit from short, concrete exercises instead of long explanations.
