Emotions & Literacy

Young children are just beginning to learn and understand their emotions. Very small children can have extreme highs and lows throughout the day. As a parent, you have probably experienced the dreaded temper tantrum with your child. Sometimes words are the weapon children use when expressing their anger. You can find books about emotions for young children at the library. Sharing books about feelings can give children the vocabulary they need to help express what they're feeling. A new picture book by Robie H. Harris addresses those unfortunate times when someone says something in anger that he wishes he could take back. In The Day Leo Said I Hate You!, author Robie H. Harris teamed with Molly Bang to bring an honest account of the day when a small boy, Leo, just can't seem to stay out of trouble. After numerous warnings from his mother - "No dropping string beans in the fishbowl! No dancing on the table!" - Leo utters those three terrible words that he instantly regrets. What happens when someone can't take their words back? What does Leo's mommy do? Will she still love him? Addressing similar themes found No David! by David Shannon and When Sophie Gets Angry --Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang, this book successfully discusses the issue of dealing with angry emotions and expresses the unconditional bond between a parent and child. For more information about emotional development in children, in particular tantrums, check out this resource from Talaris Research Institute: http://www.talaris.org/spotlight_tantrums.htm. A companion video on the site also addresses this topic.