In my role as a play therapist I often search for different ways to introduce emotions into my sessions. Often children are pressured to "behave" regardless of how they are feeling. While this is a good skill to have (imagine acting on those thoughts you have about other drivers on the highway) it does not validate the child's right to have the feeling they are having. All of us have emotions.
How useful is it when someone tells you to "just cheer up" when you are feeling sad. What about when someone tells you to "calm down" when you are ANGRY? So you do understand how children feel after all.
I did a search, as I often do, to find good therapeutic books to bring into my sessions. I then looked up the price for the books and decided to look for another option. I decided to try my local library but the majority of the well established books out there were not in the libaray. Below are the books that I found at my local library.
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| Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes |
Wemberly and her constant worries came up in the therapeutic book search I had done. I enjoyed using this with a child who is similar to Wemberly but doesn't identify with her yet. The child was able to see how Wemberly worked herself up but also how the comments from the adults in her life didn't really help how she was feeling. I enjoyed this book and would really recommend it to parents and therapists alike. I may break down and purchase it for my own library.
This is my own art work created while the child and I processed the book. I would not breach the child's confidentiality by sharing her work.
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| The Day Leo Said I Hate You! by Robie H. Harris |
This book was a hidden treasure found at the library. I found while using this book in session that it explores so much more than just anger. Remorse, frustration, impatience, mischief, and love are all very much alive in this story about Leo and his mom. I love to use art as a form of reflection and expression. Again my work done parallel to a child in session.
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| All of the emotions that we identified in the session |
Another find I was happy to find was....
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| The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! by Troy Cummings |
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I have not yet been able to use this book in session but found that it covers insecurity in a very cool way. The spider, with the help of a friend, finds her bravery and adventrous side again by the end of the book.
I will share more books as I find them as I believe this is a great addition to a child's education.
