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Books, Apps, and Activities to Support Social-Emotional Learning in Children


Social-emotional learning (SEL) is essential for children’s development, helping them build self-awareness, regulate emotions, develop empathy, and establish healthy relationships. Parents and educators can foster these skills through engaging books, interactive apps, and hands-on activities. Below are some top recommendations categorized by age group.

1. Books That Teach Social-Emotional Skills

For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

  • “The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas – Uses colors to help young children understand emotions.
  • “In My Heart: A Book of Feelings” by Jo Witek – Explores different emotions with simple language and beautiful illustrations.
  • “How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad?” by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague – Teaches emotional regulation through fun dinosaur-themed storytelling.

For Early Elementary (Ages 6-8)

  • “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig – Encourages empathy and inclusion for quiet or shy children.
  • “What Should Danny Do?” by Ganit & Adir Levy – A choose-your-own-adventure book that teaches decision-making and consequences.
  • “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson – Helps children navigate friendship challenges and resolve conflicts.

For Upper Elementary (Ages 9-12)

  • “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio – Promotes kindness, empathy, and understanding of differences.
  • “Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai – A novel in verse that explores resilience and adjusting to change.
  • “A Whole New Ballgame” by Phil Bildner – Focuses on teamwork, social skills, and inclusivity in school settings.

2. Apps for Social-Emotional Learning

For Young Children (Ages 3-6)

  • Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame (Free, iOS & Android) – Helps preschoolers practice problem-solving and calming strategies.
  • Peppy Pals (iOS & Android) – A game that teaches emotional intelligence through interactive storytelling.
  • Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings (iOS & Android) – Engages children in identifying emotions and learning coping skills.

For Elementary-Age Kids (Ages 6-12)

  • Smiling Mind (Free, iOS & Android) – A mindfulness and meditation app that helps children manage emotions and reduce stress.
  • Mood Meter (iOS & Android) – Teaches children to recognize and track their emotions.
  • Headspace for Kids (iOS & Android) – A meditation app with guided mindfulness activities tailored for different age groups.

3. Hands-On Activities for Social-Emotional Learning

Emotion Recognition Activities

  • Feelings Charades: Have children act out different emotions while others guess what they are.
  • Emotion Collage: Let kids cut out pictures from magazines that represent different emotions and discuss them.
  • Mirror Play: Use a mirror to practice facial expressions that match different emotions.

Self-Regulation Activities

  • Calm Down Jars: Fill a jar with water, glitter, and glue. When shaken, children can watch the glitter settle as a calming exercise.
  • Breathing Techniques: Teach deep breathing methods, like “balloon breathing” (inhale deeply like filling a balloon, then exhale slowly).
  • Yoga for Kids: Simple yoga poses can help children manage stress and improve focus.

Empathy and Social Skills Activities

  • Kindness Chain: Each time a child does a kind act, add a paper link to a chain to visually reinforce positive behavior.
  • Story Sharing: Encourage kids to share personal stories about times they felt happy, sad, or frustrated and discuss how they handled the emotions.
  • Buddy Bench Role-Playing: Act out playground scenarios where children practice inviting others to play and showing inclusion.

Final Thoughts

Developing social-emotional skills is an ongoing process, and using books, apps, and activities can make learning fun and engaging. By incorporating these resources at home and in the classroom, children gain the tools they need to navigate emotions, build relationships, and develop resilience.

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