Wellbeing

Using Book Week to Explore Emotions, Resilience, and Persistence at Home

Welcome back to another week of our Wellbeing Toolbox! We've had a fantastic time celebrating Book Week with our students, and we’re excited to share the joy with you. Let’s keep the fun going together!

Book Week is a perfect opportunity to dive into children’s books that explore important themes like emotions, resilience, and persistence—key areas of development for young minds.

Using Stories to Understand Emotions

Children’s books are more than just entertaining; they’re powerful tools for helping kids understand and express their emotions. Reading together during Book Week offers a chance for you to connect with your children on a deeper level by discussing the feelings and challenges characters face in their favorite stories.

For example, books like The Feelings Book by Todd Parr or In My Heart by Jo Witek can help children identify and talk about their own emotions. As you read, pause to ask your child questions like, “How do you think the character feels right now?” or “Have you ever felt that way?” These conversations can help your child become more emotionally aware and comfortable sharing their feelings. The books When the Wind Blew by Alison Jackson or Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright help children navigate anxiety and learn coping strategies. These books are accessible as a read-aloud on Youtube.

Fostering Resilience and Persistence Through Reading

Resilience and persistence are essential life skills that children begin developing at a young age. During Book Week, you can focus on books that highlight these themes. Stories of characters overcoming challenges teach kids that setbacks are a normal part of life and that perseverance leads to growth and success.

Books like The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright and Jim Field or Brave Irene by William Steig are great choices for exploring resilience. After reading, discuss the challenges the characters faced and how they managed to keep going. Ask your child, “What would you do in that situation?” or “Why is it important to keep trying even when things are tough?” These discussions help children relate the lessons in the stories to their own lives. These books are also accessible as a read-aloud on Youtube.

Making Book Week Meaningful at Home

Here are some simple yet meaningful ways you can extend the Book Week experience at home:

Daily Reading Routine: Set aside time each day to read a book that explores emotions or resilience. After reading, take a few minutes to talk about the story and how it relates to your child’s experiences.
Emotion Journals: Encourage your child to keep a simple journal where they draw or write about how they feel after reading a book. This can help them process and express their emotions in a creative way.
Emotion Mapping: After reading a story, children can create emotion maps for the main character, tracking how their feelings change throughout the book. This helps build empathy and emotional awareness.
Role-Playing Challenges: After reading a story about persistence, role-play with your child how they might handle a tough situation, like learning a new skill or dealing with a disappointment. This activity can build confidence and problem-solving skills.
Celebrate Resilience: Share your own stories of resilience with your child. Talk about a time when you had to overcome a challenge and how you did it. This not only strengthens your bond but also shows them that everyone faces difficulties—and can overcome them.

By making Book Week an engaging and reflective experience at home, you can help your children develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and persistence. These qualities are crucial for navigating both childhood and life beyond, making Book Week a perfect time to foster them in a fun and meaningful way.

If you're feeling inspired, don't let Book Week end on Sunday—keep the momentum going! Carry these fun and powerful reading moments into the future, and let them fuel your love for books all year long.

Happy reading,

Julie and Paddy