Children’s Books Guide

Temper tantrums in the grocery store, screaming at the dinner table, throwing toys or food.  Children can always find trouble to get into, and it can be a tough job keeping up with them!  Every parent can use some help, and the most effective way for children to learn acceptable behavior is to see it modeled.  You can do this with your own demeanor and also by providing children’s books on the subject.  This is a safe, effective way to introduce appropriate behavior to your child and reinforce your own teaching.  The following books will help you teach great behavior in a fun way.

Top 5 Children’s Books for Teaching Proper Behavior

Words Are Not for Hurting: Sticks and stones…we have all heard that and know that it’s not true.  Words can hurt us, and this title helps children learn how powerful their words are. Words can have a big impact on those around us, whether positively or negatively.  This excellent guide urges children to think before they speak and take responsibility for what they say.  Also included are valuable lessons on facial expression, body language, dealing with serious problems, such as abuse, and the power of saying, “I’m sorry.”  This is an excellent starting point for discussion and teaching kids behavior that respects everyone.

How to Lose All Your Friends: Have you ever had your child do the exact opposite of what you tell them?  If so, then this collection of playful rules, or anti-rules, is perfect.  Never smile.  Don’t share.  Whine. Cheat at cards. Be mean to your sibling.  Each “rule” is accompanied by colorful illustrations and examples.  If you follow all of these rules, it’s a great way to lose all your friends. Your child will see the undesirable consequences and be reminded that being nice is the best way to make and keep friends.  A great guide for any contrary child!

The Behavior Survival Guide for Kids: Few children’s books are as informative or full of empathy as this guide for kids with behavior disorders and learning disabilities.  McIntyre writes for all the kids who say, “They think I’m slow or stupid, but I’m not,” or “They tease me.”  He provides advice on coping with feelings, getting along with friends, family, and teachers, and dealing with people who are hard to get along with. Various scenarios are presented so children can think about what they would or should do.  Concise text is mixed with cartoons to provide reinforcement and visual interest to help teach children behavior that is safe.

How to Take the Grrr Out of Anger: This award-winning guide tackles anger with clear text and fun cartoons to appeal to young readers.  We all feel anger, but how do we deal with it?  Managing anger is an important skill, and your child will learn tips and strategies to recognize and cope with this difficult emotion.  This is a valuable resource for children and parents to use to develop healthy ways to deal with anger and resolve conflicts.  You can effectively teach your kids behavior that is safe and appropriate and that will help him throughout life.

Know and Follow Rules: Why do we have rules?  Why can’t we do whatever we want?  Children often wonder this, and now there’s a perfect way to help them understand.  This is a great guide for teaching your child rules because it simplifies them down to just four:  listen, do your best work, keep your hands and body to yourself, and say please and thank you.  Your child will have a good understanding of how to act in any situation by following these basic rules.  Fun questions and activities help you reinforce the skills and follow up on the lessons.

Honorable Mention

Listen and Learn: The Learning to Get Along series of children’s books focuses on different social skills, such as listening and sharing. Listening skills are crucial to doing well in school, at home, and in life. In this volume, a young boy explains what listening is and how to do it. We keep quiet, look at the person who is speaking, think about what they are saying, and ask questions if we need to. All of these are steps of active listening and will help your child improve his comprehension, school performance, and social adeptness. Bright pictures and familiar activities reinforce lessons.

If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?: This interactive collection of stories teaches children behavior that will help them make good decisions at home, at school, and in the community. Sandra McLeod Humphrey gives us 25 different stories with moral dilemmas and asks “What would you do?” Children learn best when they relate to the material, and these stories feature common things that kids come across in life. Thought-provoking dilemmas and follow-up questions provide excellent opportunities for discussion and role-playing. When your child is faced with a dilemma, this book will help him make choices that are safe, healthy, and smart.

Time Out for Behavior: Sometimes you just need a time-out to think things through. This Mark J. Rolli picture book helps children do just that. Using a fun rhyme scheme and colorful illustrations, Rolli presents various rules for good behavior that apply to everyday life. One picture shows a little girl walking on the slippery side of a pool. The text reads, “Running, running fast I see. You should walk just like me.” Children will remember this couplet and others, making this an excellent book to teach kids behavior that is both safe and respectful. This is one time-out kids will enjoy.

Talk and Work It Out: The Learning to Get Along series discusses important issues of childhood: sharing, making friends, being polite, listening, and much more. This volume deals with solving problems by talking. Author Cheri J. Meiners provides invaluable tips and advice on conflict resolution – a skill that will be useful throughout your child’s life. How do you calm yourself? What exactly is the problem? How can you solve this? What do you do when you disagree about a solution? All of this and much more is included in this information-packed guide. Activities and role-playing activities are provided for extra reinforcement.

Tails Are Not for Pulling: Whether you own pets or not, teaching children behavior that is safe and humane is essential. Often the first thing young children they do when the see a cat or dog is pull its tail or tug its fur. This is not only annoying, it’s potentially dangerous to the child. Can you scratch, pat, or cuddle an animal? Sure. Can you squeeze, hit, or taunt one? No. They also learn to read animal’s cues. Do they want to be touched or left alone? Children need very clear boundaries when it comes to animals, and this fun guide teaches them.