Irreducible Needs: What Kids Must Have to Thrive
Raffi Cavoukian, a children’s singer, songwriter, and child advocate, wrote a song titled – All I really need – which beautifully captures from a child’s perspective their most essential…
Portfolio Categories: Preschoolers
How to Cultivate Gratitude in Kids
Words matter, and so do the feelings that fuel them. We can teach a child to say ‘thank you’ and cue them when they need…
Ten Things Not To Do When a Child is Frustrated or Having a Tantrum
Every child seems to have their own signature move when it comes to lashing out in frustration including screaming, kicking, yelling, throwing, stomping, name calling,…
What Young Kids Wished You Understood About Them
Parents are routinely confused when their preschooler (aged 2 to 5) promises they won’t hit or scream only to turn around and hit or scream…
Mama or Dada? What Do Children Say First and Why
When babies start to coo and gurgle, parents listen attentively, waiting for the magical sounds they want to hear – their name. But who comes…
Can a Child Be Too Attached to Their Parent?
One of the most common questions I am asked about relationships is whether a child can be too attached? There is a general fear and…
When Play Ends and Boredom Begins
Understanding boredom in kids is serious business. A mother of a 7-year old boy sat in my office, clearly distressed and said, “I take away…
Five Things You Might Not Know About Human Emotion
Humans are some of the most complex emotional creatures on earth. From our teenagers who roll their eyes in disdain to our toddlers who cry…
The Surprising Secret Behind Kid’s Resistance and Opposition
Why is it that young children can lock down in protest at the mere suggestion of getting dressed or undressed? Why do school-age kids seem…
7 Picture Books That Can Help Kids Learn About Feelings
Learning ‘feeling’ language to communicate one’s emotions is a critical developmental milestone in the early years. The following picture books are some of my favourites…
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz Atheneum, 2009
A humorous walk through a bad day with a relatable character named Alexander. Kids and parents will be able to sympathize with his plight and can use it to draw on in real life bad days.
Angry Dragon
by Thierry Robberecht, illustrated by Philippe Goossens Clarion Books, 2004
The frustration in this child is big, so huge in fact that it threatens to swallow his parents. The images are outstanding and help convey the alarm that kids feel when their frustration and attacking energy is present. The answer is tears which eventually come and help to quiet the angry dragon inside the little boy.
The Chocolate-Covered Cookie Tantrum
by Deborah Blumenthal, illustrated by Harvey Stevenson Sandpiper Books, 1999
One of my favourites and something every child and parent can relate to - hearing 'no' when you really want a 'yes' when asking for a cookie. The story takes you on a journey through a child's tantrum until the child relinquishes their pursuit of the cookie that will not be. In the end it is the tears that save the day.
Finn Throws a Fit!
by David Elliott, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering, 2011
I laughed out loud reading this book. Finn doesn't want peaches for breakfast and proceeds to express foul frustration in response to his parent's efforts to feed him. Finn takes us through the horror of a tantrum, rich with imagery that conveys the strength of his emotion. In the end it is his tears that help him face his peaches and decide that he really does want them after all.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey Harry N. Abrams, 2014
The layering of a child's heart in this book is beautiful and takes us on a journey to the center. This is a well loved book in my house.
Happy
by Mies Van Hout Lemniscaat, 2011
Beautifully illustrated, each page portrays a fish experiencing a particular emotion. From happy to sad, this book can serve as a prompt for discussion on how kid's may feel on any given day.
My Many Coloured Days
by Dr Suess, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
The colour of each day conveys different feelings from grey days to yellow ones. Feelings are nuanced with the rich use of images and colour, conveying a range of emotions and a language to go along with it.
Dr. Deborah MacNamara is the author of 
