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Let’s help children explore their emotions.

Emotional Intelligence and Social Emotional Learning resources and books for grown-ups who want to help children.

Emotional Literacy & Emotional Intelligence

BOOKS & RESOURCES

Jump to a section, or explore them all:

Books & Resources

For Parents

Parents-Guidebook-Bella-and-Bird

Download the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers

Official Guidebook for Parents (PDF)

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

Offers insight into how a child’s brain develops and provides strategies to nurture their emotional and intellectual growth.

Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

by John Gottman

A guide to helping parents teach their children how to understand and manage emotions effectively.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

A classic resource offering practical communication techniques for mutual respect and cooperation.

Permission to Feel

by Marc Brackett

Explores the importance of understanding and embracing emotions to enhance well-being and success.

The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child

by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

Provides strategies to encourage positive traits like resilience and curiosity in children.

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids

by Kim John Payne

Advocates for simplifying children’s lives to reduce stress and enhance their well-being.

Books & Resources

For Therapists & Mental Health Professionals

Therapists-Guidebook

Download the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers

Official Guidebook for Therapists (PDF)

Emotional Intelligence: Science and Myth

by Gerald Matthews, Moshe Zeidner, and Richard D. Roberts

This book critically examines the concept of emotional intelligence, offering insights into its scientific foundations and implications for therapeutic practice.

Emotion Regulation in Psychotherapy: A Practitioner’s Guide

by Robert L. Leahy, Dennis Tirch, and Lisa A. Napolitano

This guide offers evidence-based techniques for therapists to help clients manage and regulate their emotions effectively.

The Emotionally Intelligent Psychotherapist & Listen So Kids Will Talk

by Rita Somers-Flanagan and John Somers-Flanagan

This book explores how therapists can apply emotional intelligence principles to improve therapeutic relationships and outcomes.

Emotional Intelligence: A Practitioner’s Guide

by David Walton

A practical guide offering tools and techniques for practitioners to develop and apply emotional intelligence in various professional settings.

Emotional Intelligence: Perspectives on Educational and Positive Psychology

by Marc A. Brackett and John D. Mayer

This book examines the role of emotional intelligence in education and well-being, providing therapists with insights into fostering emotional skills in clients.

Books & Resources

For Teachers & Education Professionals

Teachers-Guidebook

Download the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers

Official Guidebook for Teachers (PDF)

The Emotionally Intelligent Teacher

by Niomi Clyde-Roberts

A practical guide for teachers to develop emotional intelligence, including mindfulness exercises and strategies for building strong relationships with students and colleagues.

Teaching and Leading with Emotional Intelligence

by Kenneth Leithwood & Brenda Beatty

This resource provides dilemma-based teaching cases to help educators build problem-solving and decision-making skills through emotional intelligence.

The Educator’s Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence

by David Caruso & Peter Salovey

A hands-on guide teaching educators emotional intelligence skills to better understand and navigate emotions in the classroom.

Teaching with Emotional Intelligence

by Alan Mortiboys

A step-by-step guide for higher education professionals on developing emotional intelligence to enhance teaching and student engagement.

Teaching Emotional Literacy

by The Family Institute

A resource offering activities and discussion techniques to help students develop emotional literacy and regulation skills.

Therapeutic Approaches for Emotional Growth

There are a variety of ways to foster children’s emotional growth and healing. Here are a few:

  • Equine-Assisted Therapy – Working together with a licensed clinical therapist, horse expert, and horses to help with a variety of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges in a safe, supportive environment.
    • Arenas for Change (ARCH) – Equine-assisted learning and storytelling for emotional growth (www.arenasforchange.com)
    • Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) – Ground-based equine therapy for mental health and personal development (www.eagala.org)
  • Art & Play Therapy – Expressing emotions through creative outlets
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Kids – Practical strategies for managing emotions
  • Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – Strengthening parent-child relationships
  • Trauma-Informed Care & Therapy – Helping children process difficult emotions
bellas bag

Emotional Literacy & Emotional Intelligence

Glossary & FAQ’s

Apps & Online Tools

Smiling-Mind

Smiling Mind

Free mindfulness app for kids

Headspace-for-Kids

Headspace for Kids

Meditation and mindfulness
for emotional regulation

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

Emotional regulation app for military families

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