August is National Wellness Month. Wellness includes all aspects of your health: mental, physical, social, and emotional. It’s imperative for us as moms to teach our kids the importance of maintaining their own wellness and different ways to do so. A great way to build this foundation is through reading health and wellness books. Check out this list of books that are great for social emotional learning and see what would fit into your family’s bookshelf.
Lansing Mom is here to share our tried and true favorites. This post does contain affiliate links that help support our small business but every product is something we love!
10 Health and Wellness Books for Kids
Find Your Happy by Emily Coxhead
A joyful picture book for children that explores a wide range of feelings and emotions. This book is a great guide for children in handling their emotions and feelings by providing validation and tips for returning to a “happy place.”
Worries Big and Small by Hannah Wilson
A reassuring story book to help children build coping skills and resilience. This book is filled with questions and answers for small and big “worries” and provides children with practical solutions for tricky situations. Topics include school, social relationships, going places, and so much more.
You Are a Story by Bob Raczka
A beautifully illustrated story book that is a powerful reflection of who we are, where we came from, how we relate to the world, and more. This book encourages children to be uniquely themselves and tell their own personal story.
I love Myself by Wai Mei Wong
This wonderful, relatable read follows a child through their day, from beginning to end, affirming their actions and feelings.
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
An imaginative and silly story that is an ode to self-esteem. A fun picture book that encourages children to appreciate everything about themselves.
The Boy With Big Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
A classic book in the world for social-emotional learning. A young boy describes his big feelings and emotions and learns others can relate to him with their feelings too.
Happy-Sad Today by Lori Britain
A friendly and colorful picture book that helps children make sense of mixed up feelings.
Breathe like a Bear by Kira Willey
A sweet story with beautiful illustrations to help children feel calm and focused. This story is filled with mindfulness exercises to use anywhere and anytime.
Yoga Animals in the Forest by Christiane Kerr
In this book, a sweet bear encounters different forest friends and teaches them yoga poses. This is a wonderful book with child-friendly illustrations to help encourage children to try different yoga poses.
Tips to Make Reading a Routine
Reading helps promote healthy bonds and nurturing connections. When adults and caregivers can strengthen their relationship and connection with children, this can inherently increase their security and emotional stability. Additionally, research has shown that reading with children can help reduce and prevent childhood stress. Are you looking to make reading a routine in your home? Here are some quick tips for you!
- Have a reading space – create a comfy space on your couch, have a reading “nook” or tent, or read in your child’s bedroom. Designate a space to help create a routine for reading.
- Have LOTS of books available – make sure books are easily accessible and plentiful in your house. I like to display books in baskets throughout each room.
- Make reading FUN– be silly and interactive- read books with pop up pages, finger trails, touch and feel, and music.
- Have a schedule– read at the same time each day in order to make reading more predictable.
- Follow your child’s lead – allow your child to read books based on their interests. Let them pick books they would like to read and you follow their lead. If you don’t want to give them free range, have a selection they can pick from that you have narrowed down.
Do you have books at home that support emotional health and wellness for children? Let us know in the comments!
