0 Jennifer J Solin, Christina L Kress
In this much-needed guide, two dialectical behaviour therapists offer an activity-based workbook for kids who struggle with anger, mood-swings, and emotional and behavioural dysregulation. Using the skills outlined in this book, kids will be able to manage their emotions, get along with others, and do better in school.
Childhood can often be a time of intense emotions. But if your child’s emotions interfere with school, homework, or tests; alienate them from their peers; make it difficult to forge lasting friendships; or cause constant conflicts at home—it’s time to make a change. You need help to calm the chaos now, rather than later.
Building on the success of Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life and Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Teens, this is the first dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) activity skills workbook designed especially for kids. Designed for children ages 7 to 12, this essential guide will help kids manage difficult emotions and get along better with others.
If you are frustrated or worried about your emotional child, the hands-on activities in this book—including child-friendly mindfulness practices—can help. By reading this book, kids will develop their own “skills tool box” for dealing with intense emotions as they arise, no matter where or when.
A Note to Parents
Section 1: Mindfulness Activities
Section 2: Understanding Your Feelings
Section 3: Working with Your Feelings
Section 4: Creating Your Skills Toolbox
Section 5: Taking Your Tools on the Road
Section 5: Values and Goals
A Note of Congratulations
Additional Resources
"Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Kids is a simple yet comprehensive tool facilitating meaningful dialogue between parents, caregivers, family members, and children for explaining and exploring emotions. The workbook discusses a variety of emotions using language geared towards children, and provides concrete examples of what emotions ‘look’ like while giving children the tools needed to identify and communicate their emotional experiences. The exercises are designed to teach the child using easily understandable concepts and ‘kid friendly,’ concrete exercises to help guide them through each concept. The activities are designed to facilitate an enriched learning experience, uniquely applicable to each child. The workbook is well written, and the authors are clearly compassionate and dedicated to helping children recognize their emotions and how those emotions impact the world around them."
- Julie A. Vandermay, PsyD, MA, forensic neuropsychology resident at Natalis Counseling & Psychology Solutions
"Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Kids effectively conveys useful information about the challenging emotions children face, and ways for kids to deal with them in language far more accessible than most material available on these topics. As a plus, parents who assist their children in the useful exercises provided in the book may well find themselves picking up helpful tips for managing their own emotions as well!"
- Mark Carlson-Ghost, PhD, associate professor at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University-Twin Cities Campus
"Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Kids is a great resource for children in that it provides clear explanations to help them gain understanding about what emotions are and why we have them, and it and contains both fun and educational activities to assist them in learning how to express emotions more effectively. Parents will also benefit from this workbook because it provides them with clear, straightforward, age-appropriate language they can use to talk to their children about feelings in a manner that will facilitate an open dialogue and enhance the parent-child relationship."
- Ilyssa Siegel, PsyD, mental health practitioner at an addiction treatment center
