Reading’s Calming Effect
Tantrums… children have them and that’s part of childhood. Others hide and won’t talk. Their emotions are in a jumble and it shows.
One release for emotions that helps is reading.
For some, book that tickles their funny bones and gets them laughing helps. Books help children get through difficult times.
For others, bibliotherapy or reading about someone in a similar situation or state of mind helps. Diary of a Whimpy Kid has helped many youngsters who can relate when things don’t work out and frustrations build. That’s why it;s good to find books when you know something major is happening.
- Bullying
- Moving
- Adoption
- Death or terminal illness
- Divorce
- Violence
- Eating disorders
- Adolescence
- New school
Sometimes it helps to read together while other times the child may calm down by reading alone, in a quiet place.
Why it helps:
- Children realize they are not alone and someone else understands in the pages of a book
- It’s neutral territory. They can talk about a character without having to talk about their own problems.
- It gives them hope of finding solutions or getting past the problem
- It gives them courage to try and get over the problem without emotional outbursts
So, while shopping for summer reading add in a few books that relate to upcoming challenges your child might face.