Today we will be looking at Early Childhood books that have an SEL focus.  There are many to choose from and it was very hard to pick only two!

Free Spirit Publishing has a series of books teaching children positive social skills.  One of my favorites is Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi, Ph.D.

This book gives children concrete ideas for what we can do with our hands, like hugging and playing. It repeatedly asks children to consider, “What are hands for?”

If you like this one, be sure to check out: Feet Are Not for Kicking, and Words Are Not for Hurting.

Our next book is a wonderful resource for any parent or educator with young children.  Austin ISD has adopted it for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten teachers to learn from. The book is called, Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky A. Bailey. The book teaches how to create a positive classroom management system that encourages the growth of emotional intelligence.

Have you read either of these book before? What did you think? What are your favorite Early Childhood books? Please share with us in the comments section below!

Happy Reading 🙂

Welcome to the Second Edition of the SEL Summer Reading Series! We have two books to share with you this Wednesday.

To start us off is a beautiful children’s book, “One” by Kathryn Otoshi.

This book emphasizes the power of one person standing up when someone is being mistreated.  The art work alone makes this book worth a read. Watch below as the author reads her book accompanied by a dramatic interpretation performed by students from Trace Elementary School in San Jose, CA.

Our next book is geared towards the adult SEL learner, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by: Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.  This book looks at how to shift our thinking for achievement, happiness, and success.  It focuses on how to switch from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Have you read either of these book before? What did you think? What books are planning to read this summer? Please share with us in the comments section below!

Happy Reading 🙂

Now that school is out for the summer, the SEL team at Austin ISD is excited to share some excellent SEL summer reading with you all. We are starting a new series each Wednesday where we will share some of our favorite SEL themed books for adults and youth.

To start us off, I will share one of my favorite resources as an educator. Drum roll please . . . . . .

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

This book gave me very clear and concrete tools for how to talk to children in a calm, empathetic, and VERY effective way. The tips are easy to implement and will greatly improve the culture and climate in any home or classroom.  Each section has a comic that accompanies it which helps to illustrate the technique they are discussing.  Here’s an example of one such comic:

Notice how on the right, with a little active listening and a touch of empathy, the child is able to find a solution that works for him/her with minimal struggle.

Have you read this book before? What did you think? What books are planning to read this summer? Please share with us in the comments section below!

Happy Reading 🙂