Self Regulation Books for Kids that are Engaging and Have Super Helpful Strategies

Check out these self regulation books for kids to help them learn to stay in control and regulate their emotions

Self-regulation is an important skill for children to develop. It involves learning how to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions and behavior. Developing self-regulation skills can help children become more resilient, better able to cope with stress, and more successful in their relationships.

Try adding these engaging and helpful self regulation books for kids to your reading time to help your child learn the valuable skill of self regulation.

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What is Self Regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior, and reactions. It involves being aware of thoughts and feelings and managing them in a responsible and constructive way. Self-regulation requires practice and can be developed through various strategies, such as goal setting, problem solving, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness. Developing self-regulation skills can help individuals better manage their emotions, achieve goals, and build stronger relationships.

Why is Self Regulation Important to Teach?

Self-regulation is an important skill to teach children because it helps them to develop the ability to monitor and control their own emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. This skill can help children to become independent, resilient, and successful in school and in life. Teaching self-regulation can help children to develop the ability to recognize their emotions, recognize how their behavior affects others, and to use problem solving and self-control to manage situations. Self-regulation is important for children to learn, as it can help them to become successful in many aspects of their lives.

How can Children Learn from Self Regulation Books?

Self-regulation books can be a great way for children to learn how to manage their emotions and behavior. These books can help children recognize their own emotions and how to control them. They can also teach them how to deal with difficult situations, and how to manage their time. In addition, self-regulation books can provide children with activities, tips, and strategies to help them become more independent and self-sufficient. By reading these books, children can learn to become more mindful of their own feelings and how to manage them in a positive and constructive way.

Self Regulation Books for Kids that are Engaging and Have Super Helpful Strategies

The Kids' Guide to Staying Awesome and in Control

The Kids' Guide to Staying Awesome and In Control by Lauren Brukner

This book is packed with simple ideas to regulate the emotions and senses, this book will help children tackle difficult feelings head-on and feel awesome and in control! 

From breathing exercises, pressure holds and finger pulls, to fidgets, noise-reducing headphones and gum, the book is brimming with fun stuff to help kids feel cool, calm and collected. They will learn how to label difficult feelings, choose the perfect strategies and tools to tackle them, and use these correctly whether at home or at school. The strategies and tools are accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations, and the author includes useful tips for parents and teachers as well as handy visual charts and checklists to track learning and progress. 

Armed with this book, kids will be well on their way to managing difficult emotions and feeling just right in whatever situation life throws at them!

The book is laid out in two parts, a kid section and adult section. The kids’ section is very easy to read, with drawings to go along with the explanations of the body breaks. The kids loved the drawings and the explanations for each feeling. Some activities are smaller and can be done anywhere (like giving yourself a hug, bubble breath, palm push, etc.). The others involve larger movements (crab walk, wall push), and some are for kids who like tactile things, such as using cushions or manipulatives). There is a nice mix of options, which would work for different temperaments and needs.

I'm Just a Kid: A Social Emotional Book about Self Regulation

I'm Just a Kid: A Social Emotional Book about Self Regulation by Chandele Morris

What can Ben do when he gets angry or upset? What does his mom do when Ben does not know how to calm himself down?  

“Ahhhh, it’s not working!” Have you ever been so frustrated that you just want to scream? Ben is a kid who loves to play, especially with his puzzles, which help him learn and grow. But he often experiences many BIG emotions when things don’t go his way. Like many other kids, he has to learn different ways to help him cope with his anger so he can calm himself down.

In I’m Just a Kid, Ben’s big emotions can be overwhelming, but with a little help from Mom, he learns how to engage more mindfully, self-regulate, and develop emotional resilience.

This is a great book to read to teach children about emotions and how to figure out the best way to calm down when feeling big emotions. It also shows that it is okay to have big emotions; it doesn’t change who we are. Love the simplicity of the story.

“Something for everyone! Great graphics for kids. Illustrated charts for teachers. Helpful hints for parents. Innovative resources for therapists. Truly an awesome compilation of strategies students can use anytime anywhere. No assembly required! “

Beverly H. Moskowitz, DOT OTR/L, CEO at Real OT Solutions, Inc.

How to Be a Superhero Called Self-Control

How to be a Superhero Called Self-Control!: Super Powers to Help Younger Children to Regulate their Emotions and Senses by Lauren Brukner

“This is a super book for empowering kids, teens, and even adults with real-life power tools for managing frustration, anxiety, anger, sensory challenges and more!”

Lindsey Biel, M.A., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, Author of Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens, www.sensorysmarts.com

Meet Self-Control, a superhero who wants to teach young children his super powers of self-control! Anxiety, frustration, anger, and other difficult feelings won't stand a chance against their new-found powers.

Self-Control teaches children with emotional and sensory regulation difficulties aged approximately 4-7 how to calm themselves using self-massage, deep pressure, breathing exercises, and activities such as making an imaginary list and finding their own peaceful place. This illustrated book also features an appendix with photocopiable super power charts, reinforcers, and reminder tools to ensure that parents, teachers, and other professionals can support children in upholding superhero strategies even after the book has been read.

Self-Control to the Rescue!: Super Powers to Help Kids Through the Tough Stuff in Everyday Life

Self-Control to the Rescue!: Super Powers to Help Kids Through the Tough Stuff in Everyday Life by Lauren Brukner

The self-control super hero is back! This time, they've come prepared with simple strategies to tackle the difficult emotions and challenges of everyday life. From the morning routine to making friends at recess, paying attention in class and getting a good night's sleep, this guide will help children stay on track and save the day!

Focussing on specific times of the day that present particular challenges, the book uses illustrations and simple language to describe breathing exercises, stretching, and visualization techniques to help children aged 4-7 keep calm and in control. Suitable for all children, but especially those with sensory and emotional regulation difficulties, this is an accessible guide with extra tips and resources for parents, educators or therapists.

“Here at last is a book for parents and therapists to use with children to help them develop self-regulation! This book is for people everywhere who want to create a regulated place within themselves and the children with whom they live or love.”

Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D, OTR, Founder of STAR Institute for SPD

What Should Danny Do

What Should Danny Do? by Air Levy and Ganit Levy

With 9 Stories in 1, the fun never ends! What Should Danny Do? is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he encounters choices that kids face on a daily basis. As your children navigate through the different story lines, they will begin to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves will shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

Boys and girls both love and relate to Danny, while enjoying the interactive nature of the book they never know what will come next! Parents and Teachers love the social-emotional skills the book teaches through empowering kids to make positive choices while demonstrating the natural consequences to negative choices. A “must-have” on every bookshelf.

“This book empowers kids to make positive choices while showing them the natural consequences of negative choices. It's a great book for teaching the pillars of character and also a wonderful resource for teaching growth mindset. It's a book that you will use over and over… I highly encourage you to add it to your bookshelves.”

Marida Salinas, Elementary School Counselor

I Hope you Enjoy Adding these Self Regulation Books for Kids to your Reading Time!

Get these Free Emotion Cards for Kids to Help them Identify Emotions

Teaching your child emotions can feel overwhelming, but the first step is to help them learn to identify emotions. 

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