Tools for Parents
Articles/Books
Kindergarten Separation Anxiety
Anxiety & Anxiety Disorders in Children
What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious
72 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child
The Behavior Code Companion, Jessica Minahan
When Worries Win-Over: Anxiety in Elementary School Students, Samantha (Leney) Ruggiero
Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children, Reed Wilson & Lynn Lyons
Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents, Ronald Rapee PhD, et al
GoZenPlus_EightAnxietyReliefTools.pdfBooks to Read with Your Child
Title: You’ve Got Dragons
Author: Kathryn Cave
Ages: 5-9
Description: A little boy is afraid of dragons (representing every day worries), it describes physical worry responses such as rumbly stomach and shaky knees and gives some tips at the end as well.
Title: Is a Worry Worrying You?
Author: Ferida Wolff
Age: 4-8
Description: This book addresses different ways of dealing with worries from confronting it to using happy thoughts, humorous
Title: Silly Billy
Author: Anthony Browne
Ages:
Description: This book is about a little boy who worries about a variety of things, his grandmother introduces him to the concept of worry dolls and using his imagination to overcome fears.
Title: Ready for Anything
Author: Keiko Kasz
Ages: 3-8
Description: This story gives examples of two friends with different thinking styles and how positive and negative thinking affect experiences.
Title: Cool Cats, Calm Kids
Author: Mary L Williams
Age: 7-12
Description: This book offers practical strategies for relaxation and stress management, through the world of a cat.
Title: When My Worries Get Too Big
Author: Kari Dunn Buron
Ages: 5-8
Description: This books includes activities for teachers and parents included with a children’s book to develop self-regulation and calming strategies.
Title: David and the Worry Beast
Author: Anne Marie Guanci
Ages: 4-9
Description: Story on conquering fears, and not avoiding them. Strategies on controlling the “worry beast.”
Title: Wilma Jean the Worry Machine
Author: Julia Cook
Ages: 7-12
Description: Humorous book that addresses common worries and strategies that can be used to lessen the severity of the response. Very child friendly.
Title: Violet’s Cloudy Day
Author: Roz MacLean
Ages: 4-8
Description: First day of school jitters that turn into worry clouds that follow the child around. Strategies for managing anxiety including how to be a resilient and empowered thinker, using positive self talk and a self-compassionate attitude to overcome anxiety.
Title: Peaceful Piggy’s Meditation
Author: Kerry Lea MaClean
Agues: 3-9
Description: The young pigs in this story use meditation to deal with a busy and stressful world. Finding peace and calm.
Title: Wemberly Worried
Autho: Kevin Henkes
Ages: 4-8
Description: Wemberly worries about a lot of different things, especially her first day of school. She does end up meeting a friend who also worries which seems to help. This book introduces children to the idea of having worries. It is a good beginning point to discuss coping strategies.
Title: The Invisible String
Author: Patrice Karst Links
Ages 4-8 years
Description: This books describes how even if we can’t always be with our loved ones, we are always connected by our hearts. Good for discussions of separation, loss, and death as well.
Title: What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
Author: Dawn Huebner
Ages: 6-12
Description: An interactive book that uses cognitive behavior strategies to help children overcome worries. Having specified worry time, naming the worries or creating a worry box are some of the tools suggested in this book that includes opportunities for drawing.