March is National Reading Month, a time for parents and children alike to appreciate the written word. Books enrich our lives and help us learn lessons in a way that is subtle, organic, and effective.
Before staying at home, I worked in the world of mental health. My specialty was working with elementary school children on many issues including anger, anxiety, social skills and relational problems. Tackling these complex issues is difficult with adults, much less children. I quickly learned that using books to address a child’s problem made it much easier for me to teach and much easier for the child to understand.
Asking a seven-year-old why he consistently blows his top in class is usually answered with “I don’t know.” However, reading Soda Pop Head together and then asking him “Do you know anyone who blows his top?” opens the door to a fuller conversation that doesn’t seem as threatening to the little guy sitting in my office after another angry day in school.
Or consider that kindergartner who just can’t seem to stop tattling on every. single. classmate. Perhaps reading about the unfortunate condition of tattle tongue can help little Jr. Justice realize the difference between tattling and telling.
Soda Pop Head and A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue are just two of the many books written by Julia Cook. She has written a multitude of books that cover a wide range of topics including mental health (titles include Wilma Jean the Worry Machine or Grief is Like a Snowflake), health and hygiene (I Am a Booger), communication (My Mouth is A Volcano), interactions (Personal Space Camp or Tease Monster), behavior (Sorry, I Forgot to Ask) and life issues (I Just Don’t Like the Sound of No). These are just a few examples of the many titles you can find at www.juliacookonline.com
Julia’s books are fun to read, wonderfully illustrated, and best of all, many of the titles have activity books available to complement the story. You don’t have to be a mental health professional or teacher to be able to help your child learn these life lessons. The activity books include coloring pages, crafts, and writing prompts that are all simply explained and fun to do with your child.
If you are looking for a relatively painless way to begin what can be an awkward or difficult conversation with your child, then check out Julia’s books and get reading. They allow your child to internalize a lesson in a way that isn’t threatening or shameful for them. And best of all, you will be learning together.
Click here to check out a list of titles, the topics they cover, and their suggested age-range.
