A Little Spot of Anger: A Story About Managing BIG Emotions
A Little SPOT Series
on Goodreads (535)
What’s inside...
In 'A Little Spot of Anger: A Story About Managing BIG Emotions,' Diane Alber introduces children to the concept of anger as a natural and manageable emotion. The story features a character who encounters a little spot of anger that grows as the character's frustrations increase. Through engaging illustrations and relatable scenarios, the book teaches young readers how to recognize the physical and emotional signs of anger. It provides practical strategies for calming down, such as deep breathing, counting, and positive self-talk. The goal is to help children understand that while it's okay to feel angry, they have the power to control their reactions and express their feelings in healthy ways. This book is part of a series that aims to empower children to handle their emotions constructively.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child
A Little Spot Of Anger
Discussion points
How do you think the Spot of Anger felt when it first appeared?
What are some ways that the characters in the book managed their anger?
Can you remember a time when you felt a big emotion like anger? What did you do?
Why is it important to talk about our feelings, especially when we feel angry?
How do you think the story would change if the Spot of Anger wasn't there?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time you felt angry and how you handled your emotions.
Encourage your child to express their feelings by using 'I feel' statements, which can help them articulate their emotions clearly.
Praise your child for their honesty when they share their emotions and reassure them that it’s normal to feel angry sometimes.
Use examples from the book to discuss healthy ways to manage anger and big emotions.
Discuss the outcomes of different characters' actions and ask your child how they might handle similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and Expressing Emotions
Explanation: The book uses the character of a 'spot' to represent anger, teaching children how to identify and express this complex emotion.
Real-World Application: Children can use this analogy to recognize their feelings of anger and express them in a healthy way, both at home and in school.
Example Lesson: Emotion Regulation
Explanation: Through the narrative, children learn practical strategies to manage their anger, such as deep breathing and counting to ten.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these techniques in real situations to calm down before reacting, fostering better interactions and decision making.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding Others
Explanation: The story highlights how anger affects not just oneself but others around them, teaching the importance of considering other people’s feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be mindful of their peers' emotions, promoting a more empathetic and cooperative environment in different social settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The book presents scenarios where anger leads to negative outcomes, illustrating the impact of one's actions when driven by unmanaged emotions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to foresee the consequences of their actions, helping them to make more thoughtful choices when they are feeling angry.
Example Lesson: Seeking Help When Overwhelmed
Explanation: ‘A Little Spot of Anger’ shows that it’s okay to ask for help from adults or friends when emotions become too hard to handle alone.
Real-World Application: This empowers children to seek support from parents, teachers, or friends when they are struggling with difficult emotions, fostering a supportive community around them.