Teaching your child to be brave using picture books

Courage, or bravery means making good choices in the face or fear of obstacles.  Let’s be honest, it is hard to be brave in life.  How can we teach our children to have courage? 

One thing we can do is encourage our children to not let fear stop us from trying new things. We as parents can pay attention to our child’s emotions and signs that they may be afraid or nervous in a situation.  We can offer support and provide them with information to work through their fears. 

Next, we can help prepare them for new experiences in life by prepping them with information about what will happen.  Explaining what a trip to the dentist will be like with ease their fears.  You can find a book or television show that may illustrate this experience for your child. Your child will have courage in the new situation with their upfront knowledge of what will likely occur.

Another way we can help our children with fears is by modeling courage and reassuring your child in scary situations.  Provide your child with encouragement and express that even though it may be hard you know they can be brave to overcome their fears. 

Of course, I also strongly believe in the power of reading.  By reading and discussing books with your child they can see how characters deal with fear and overcome those fears.  I love how authors can write a story to show children the emotions, strategies and outcomes.  These stories can help them develop strategies to deal with emotions in their own lives. These books are known as SEL book.  Social Emotional Learning ( SEL) is a popular and much needed way to teach students about emotions.  SEL helps students to better understand their emotions and the emotions of others.  There are five components of Social Emotional Learning:

1. Self-awareness: Knowing and being aware of how your emotions can impact your behavior.  
2. Self - Management:  Controlling your emotions, thoughts and actions in situations.
3. Social Awareness:  To be aware of others around you in your school, neighborhood and community.  Recognizing differences in others backgrounds and cultures and being able to understand them and to act with empathy and respect towards others.
4. Relationship Skills:  Being able to build and keep relationships with people of various backgrounds.  This includes listening to and speaking with others, solving conflicts peacefully and knowing when to ask others for help. 
5. Making responsible decisions:  Knowing how to act and make decisions in situations taking ethics and others into account before making a decision. 

Bravery would fall under the component of Self Management.  Children will learn to manage their emotions in different situations.  

Here are 10 books that I recommend reading to your child. 

1. “You are Brave” Margaret O’Hair:  This book is a follow up to “You are Enough” inspired by Sofia Sanchez.  Sofia is a Down Syndrome advocate who wants kids to know that they are amazing and can overcome obstacles by trying new things, sticking up for themselves and others and showing the world how brave they are. 

2. “Stick and Stone” by Beth Ferry:  This fun book about friendship also teaches children to be brave.  Showing them not to be afraid to stick up for friends when others are being mean.  

3. “Shelia Rae, the Brave” by Kevin Henkes:  Shelia Rae is brave, she is not afraid of anything.  But one day she gets lost and is for once scared.  What will she do?  

4. “Courage” by Bernard Waber:  There are many ways to have courage.  This book shows your child how courageous they and those around them really are!  

5. “Thunder Cake” by Patricia Polacco:  Thunder can be scary! This story recalls how the author’s grandma helped her overcome the fear with an adventure and reassurance. This book will help your child to make something scary fun and even an adventure. Help your child develop this strategy for their fears.  

6. “The Bravest Fish” by Matt Buckingham: Stanley wakes up one morning to discover that his school fish are gone.  He goes on a brave adventure to find them. 

7. “Be Brave Little Penguin” by Giles Andreae: Pip-Pip is afraid of the water.  His Mummy  is gentle by listening to his fears. She builds him up and encourages him to face his fear of the sea.

8. “Max the Brave” by Ed Vere:  Max is a brave kitten who wants to chase mice.  The only problem is that he doesn’t know what a mouse is.  He bravely goes out in search of mouse, and soon discovers he prefers chasing “monsters” 

9. “Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun” by Maria Dismondy:  Ralph is so unkind to Lucy at school.  He is mean because she is different, she tries to be brave but it is hard. What will she do as the bullying continues?  Being kind can take courage too. 

10. “Jabari Jumps” by Gaia Cornwall: Jabari is excited to jump off the diving board after passing his swimming test.  He is not afraid to jump into the water, but maybe he is a little afraid. Jabari’s dad talks to him about how he can get over being scared.  Will Jabari jump? 

After reading, check out my Jabari Jumps sensory bag activity.

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