Freddie and Friends: Bugging Out - this book helps kids learn to determine the severity of their own problems. Freddie learns what kinds of problems are worth getting worried about, and which ones aren't quite so important, in this book that has a clear reminder and guidelines that are easy for kids to remember.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote Freddie and Friends Bugging out as I do for all my books so my students have a fun learning resource. When there is a topic that the kids I work with are struggling with, I like to try and create something for them. Additionally, I wanted to focus on problem solving because I feel like while there are a lot of size of the problem stories out there most of them focus on minimizing the problem and in effect feel like they are minimizing the child's emotion. I wanted a story that focused on the reactions because kids are allowed to feel however they want but we can help them have reactions that are healthy and can help them move forward safely.
Why is it important for kids to learn to categorize problems?
When you're little you are discovering the world and are very self-focused; everything that happens to you feels big. Kids need to learn to be able to categorize problems so that they can become independent and good problem solvers. They need to be able to categorize so that they can identify the difference between problems they can solve and problems that they will need help with. On one hand you don't want them to have to rely on others to always solve a problem and reversely you don't want them not seeking help when it is needed. By learning to categorize at a young age children gain valuable critical thinking skills and sets them on a path towards independence.
Why do parents need to make sure they aren't completely minimizing the problems kids face?
Just like you shouldn't over emphasize every problem a child faces you need to make sure you aren't minimizing them either. Everyone wants to feel heard. If we never acknowledge kids' problems and always down play them a child might not feel respected or worse that their feelings don't matter. Furthermore, this could create a toxic relationship where the child feels like they shouldn't come to you with any problems which could be very dangerous.
For many kids, communication can be a big problem. What are some age-appropriate ways to help kids learn to communicate at a variety of ages?
One of the best ways for kids to learn to communicate is for them to hear communication. One of the best ways to do this is by narrating your entire day. Even take the time to pause, ask questions and act like they responded. Another great way is through books. Reading and asking questions about what they see is a great tool to boost communication. Some other strategies are forced choices. Don't just hand them the item they want even if you know what it is. Make them say, or vocalize, something. Also expansion is a good strategy. When they ask for or respond, repeat what they say including more information; i.e. Yes that is a big, fluffy, dog.
Kimberly Delude is an ASHA Certified Speech Language Pathologist. She has worked with children in the public schools for the last six years. When not helping kids find their voices, she authors the Freddie the Fly book series, published by Boys Town Press. The series can be used at school or home and provides kids with fun tools to address important social skills like size of the problem or reading social cues. She was also the recipient of the 2020 Massachusetts Speech Hearing Associations Clinical Achievement Award. Find more tips from Kimberly on Instagram @kimdbooks and @thespeechvine. Find her books at boystownpress.org or wherever books are sold.
Practicing Patience - this is a good book for people who are a little extra fidgety and impatient. While it isn't always easy for some kids to sit still or wait their turn, this books helps show kids why it's important, and gives them something to think about the help them self-regulate when necessary.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book to fill a need. As an elementary school counselor, I see students struggle with waiting. They struggle with waiting in the halls, in the lunch line, for recess to start, for a class to end, for the end of the day, and more. Even as adults we struggle with waiting—for the paycheck, for Friday, for a movie to come out, just to name a few.
Why is patience such an important skill to learn?
Without the ability to be patient, we may feel unsettled, or even anxious. We feel uncomfortable. When we learn how to be patient and appreciate the moment, we feel more at ease. We can also be happier with how things are, instead of wishing things were different—or waiting for things to be different.
How can parents model patience for their kids?
Parents can model patience for their kids by being calm. When we are calm, that spreads to our children. When we feel anxious and impatient, that also spreads to our children.
Staying positive while being patient is also a way to model patience for our kids. It shows them that waiting is not a bad thing.
Finally, another way to model patience is to be prepared. We can do things to be sure that not only our children get enough sleep, but that we do, too. When we feel rested, adults and children are more successful with being patient. We can also prepare by having things to do to keep ourselves busy. This helps us take our minds off what we are waiting for and it can help us enjoy the moment.
Jennifer Law, an elementary school counselor, has been an educator for more than 15 years. In addition to her master’s degree in school counseling, she has a K-6 teaching certificate and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jennifer is the author of the upcoming children’s book Practicing Patience: How to Wait Patiently When your Body Doesn’t Want to and popular children’s books that teaches children how to stay patient and calm when someone pushes their buttons. She lives in Iowa with her husband and two sons.
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