The Feelings At My Door
What’s inside...
A big sister writes a love letter to her newborn baby brother, sharing her journey of managing the 'big' feelings that accompany growing up. She introduces different Mindfulness and Somatic Therapy Techniques to help notice, feel, and release emotions. The book aims to foster discussions on emotional regulation among young children.
Age
6-10
Length
27 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feeling did you notice the characters experiencing the most? How did it make you feel?
Can you describe a time when you felt similar to the character? What helped you feel better?
What can we do when we feel overwhelmed like the characters did?
Why do you think understanding our feelings is important?
How do you think the story would change if the characters felt differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses and feelings, affirming that their emotions are valid and important.
Relate the book’s scenarios to real-life situations that your child may face, helping them connect the dots between feelings and actions.
Encourage your child to express their feelings through drawing or writing their own story, inspired by the book.
After discussing the book, extend the conversation to family members or friends, asking your child how they think others might feel in similar situations.
Use a calm and comforting tone to foster a safe space for discussing sensitive and personal topics.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The book presents various emotions as characters that knock on the door, teaching children to identify and articulate their feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing their own emotions and effectively communicating them to others, enhancing emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: As different emotions are portrayed as characters, children learn to understand and empathize with how others may feel.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop empathy, allowing them to better interact and connect with peers, fostering more meaningful relationships.
Example Lesson: Managing difficult emotions
Explanation: The narrative guides children on how to handle challenging emotions, demonstrating that it's okay to feel them and providing strategies to cope.
Real-World Application: Children learn practical approaches to deal with anger, sadness, or frustration in everyday situations, contributing to better emotional regulation.
Example Lesson: Importance of self-reflection
Explanation: The book encourages looking inward when emotions 'knock at the door,' prompting children to reflect on their feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson can empower children to understand themselves better and make informed decisions about how to react in various emotional contexts.
Example Lesson: Resilience through emotional challenges
Explanation: The story shows that experiencing and navigating through a range of emotions is a part of life, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through emotional ups and downs, equipping them with resilience that aids in overcoming life's challenges.