Getting in touch with our feelings is something that starts in childhood. With a boost in the right direction, it can help little ones grow into well balanced little bundles of joy that know how to acknowledge what they are feelings, grow from it, and share that all around goodness with those that surround. The book featured on today's AWARENESS TOUR with The Children's Book Review aims to do just that and more with little Marion guiding readers through a story all about feelings. KEEP READING for a quick glimpse at the tale, and then continue reading for a special GUEST POST with the author about Emotional Intelligence...
by
Miss Kaye
Illustrated by
Miss Waitthk
Ages 3+ | 34 Pages
9781738593026
Maya Nurtures (2024)
About the book...
Marion is a kind, creative, and easy kid… but he’s faced with BIG emotions. Help Marion identify those BIG feelings in this interactive children’s picture book.
Guess How Marion Feels is a transformative experience that lays the foundation for emotional intelligence and meaningful connections. A gentle Social Emotional Learning (SEL) tool to guide parents, caregivers, and teachers to teach kids who struggle to pick up social cues and have challenges in social situations.
This book is made to celebrate and honor the feelings of our little ones, foster open communication, and create inclusive learning with our neurodivergent kids. Written by a neurodivergent author, Miss Kaye aims to support kids and everyone struggling with social interactions.
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*** GUEST POST ***
How
to Teach Toddlers Emotional Intelligence
Our
feelings, emotions, and affection are what make us feel connected to
ourselves and our surroundings. It is the foundation of every
relationship we form in our lives—the fundamental element in
building stronger and lasting human connections.
Yet,
it is the most tricky thing to teach. We are complex creatures with
differences in culture, beliefs, parenting, gender identity,
environment, neuro differences, personal biases, and many, many more.
These could almost guarantee that each of us is one-of-a-kind on this
planet.
Despite
our uniqueness, we have common needs to meet. One of these needs is
the sense of having healthy emotional connections. Brené
Brown famously quoted Maya Angelou with these words, "You are
only free when you realize you belong no place - you belong every
place - no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great."
Basically, the core of belonging is being yourself. It takes
experience, challenges, achievement… even a lifetime to achieve
this. In essence, the philosophy of knowing oneself is through
self-awareness and consciousness.
In
the realm of child development, one of the crucial aspects to
consider is emotional self-regulation. This is the ability of the
child to control their own emotions, handle frustrations, and resist
impulsive behavior. As parents, caregivers, teachers, and concerned
adults, it is our responsibility to guide little ones on this journey
of self-regulation.
Understanding
Self-Regulation
Self-regulation,
in its essence, refers to a child's capacity to manage their emotions
and behavior in accordance with the demands of the situation. It
encompasses the ability to resist highly emotional reactions to
upsetting stimuli, calm oneself down when upset, adjust to changes in
expectations, and handle frustration without outbursts. These skills
mature as children grow, allowing them to direct their behavior
toward goals despite the unpredictability of the world and their own
feelings.
Identifying
Emotional Dysregulation
Emotional
dysregulation can manifest differently in each child. Some may
display instantaneous, intense reactions without warning, while
others may have a slower build-up, leading to a behavioral outburst.
The common thread is the struggle to manage strong emotions
effectively. It's essential to recognize these signs and address them
proactively.
Factors
Contributing to Self-Regulation Challenges
Several
factors can contribute to a child's difficulties with
self-regulation. These include inherent temperament and personality
traits, which may make self-soothing more challenging for some
children.
Additionally,
the environment plays a significant role; when parents consistently
step in to soothe or solve problems, children may struggle to develop
self-discipline. Conditions such as autism or anxiety can further
compound these challenges, making it crucial to provide tailored
support.
Teaching
Self-Regulation Skills
Teaching
self-regulation skills is not about avoiding difficult situations but
rather coaching children through them and providing a supportive
framework. This process, often referred to as "scaffolding,"
involves breaking challenging activities into manageable parts.
For
instance, if a child struggles with a particular task, such as
brushing their teeth, start with a simplified step, like applying
toothpaste to the brush. Praise their efforts and gradually add more
steps as they gain confidence.
The
Power of Practice Runs
Another
effective method to scaffold self-regulation is through practice
runs. If a child tends to react impulsively or have tantrums in
specific situations, create low-stakes scenarios for them to practice
better responses. For instance, if shopping trips are a trigger, make
short visits where they can practice walking calmly and keeping their
hands to themselves. Reward their successes to reinforce positive
behavior.
Encouraging
Self-Reflection
To
foster self-regulation, it's essential to encourage self-reflection
in children. When they make mistakes or exhibit impulsive behavior,
approach the situation calmly and provide non-judgmental feedback.
Discuss what went wrong, why it happened, and how they can handle it
differently next time. Creating an environment that promotes
thoughtful, reflective, and self-aware behavior is key to long-term
success.
Additional
Tools for Self-Regulation
In
addition to the techniques mentioned above, mindfulness and
meditation can be beneficial for children, particularly those with
self-regulation challenges. These practices help children focus on
the present moment and develop greater emotional awareness. Parent
training programs offer valuable resources for caregivers looking to
enhance their coaching skills. For older children, dialectical
behavior therapy (DBT) can provide essential tools for distress
tolerance and emotion regulation.
The
Family Environment's Role
Ultimately,
the family environment plays a central role in fostering
self-regulation. Consistency, patience, and ongoing support are
fundamental. Remember that every child is unique, and progress may
not always be linear. By modeling self-reflection and
self-regulation, parents and caregivers create an environment where
children can thrive and develop these crucial skills.
In
conclusion, helping children improve their self-regulation skills is
a vital aspect of their development. By understanding the nuances of
self-regulation, identifying dysregulation, addressing contributing
factors, and employing effective teaching methods, we can guide our
children toward emotional maturity and self-control.
Remember,
the journey may be challenging, but the rewards of seeing a child
grow into a self-regulated individual are immeasurable.
Notes:
This
article is intended as a comprehensive guide to fostering emotional
self-regulation in children and should not replace professional
advice or intervention when necessary.
References
used are resources from the National Library of Medicine on the
topic of Parenting in the Context of the Child: Genetic and Social
Processes, Colombia University Irving Medical Centre, Medication
from materials of Deepak Chopra, and other psychology books.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miss Kaye was born in the Philippines. She had challenges as an adult neurodivergent. This serves as her inspiration for writing fun, engaging, and educational stories to teach life skills and mindfulness to kids.
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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Miss Waitthk is from Hongkong. She enjoys making people feel happy and joyful through her drawings. As a kid, she remembered drawing anime characters and coloring them with colored pencils. Since then, she kept on drawing.
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*** GIVEAWAY ***
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a 1-hour FREE coaching session to launch your own picture book, along with signed copies of Guess How Marion Feels (one to keep and one to share with a neurodivergent charity of your choice under your name).
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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Maya Nurtures. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher,
this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!
TOUR SCHEDULE
Friday, February 9, 2024
Book Tour Kick-Off
Monday, February 12, 2024
Author Interview with Miss Kaye
Tuesday, Ferbuary 13, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Friday, February 16, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels and Little Free Library Drop
Monday, February 19, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
An article by Miss Kaye
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Friday, February 23, 2024
Author Interview with Miss Kaye
Monday, February 26, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Friday, March 1, 2024
Author Interview with Miss Kaye
Monday, March 4, 2024
Book Review of Guess How Marion Feels
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
A Storytime Activity Paired with Guess How Marion Feels
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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