Helping Children Find Their Happy!
By Dr. Erin Peterson
In this book, diverse children express what they have learned to do when feeling emotions such as unhappy, sad, or stressed. Each child reveals a plan of action he or she uses to lift the negative feeling. The children use the word “reset strategy,” leaving the listener with language to use when needing to manage their own feelings.
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There are two main purposes for this book. First, to provide children with research-based reset strategies and practice in creating their own happiness. That is the goal! Second, to provide adults with the appropriate dialogue to help children process and work through their emotions.
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The intended audience of readers includes, but is not limited to: children, educators, pre-service teachers, school staff, therapists, counselors, medical professionals, child-life specialists, daycare providers, social workers, and families. This book is appropriate for any individual who would like to do their part as a mental health advocate for kids!
The beautiful thing about this book is that it can be adapted to fit the needs of the audience. It can be read to a whole group or one-on-one with a child. It can be read from beginning to end, or in segments so that the focus could simply be practicing one strategy at a time. Once read to children, they can refer back to it with an adult or by themselves whenever necessary. When using the reset strategies, they can be combined and modified to fit the age and interest of the reader. The reset strategies in this book are selected to be practiced when feeling a mix of emotions such as sadness, anxiousness, worry, stress, or anger.
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In order to maintain powerful conversations throughout the entire book, you will notice before, during (during reading discussion prompts placed at the top of pages throughout the book), and after reading discussion prompts. These prompts guide you through this book, providing designated places to stop and have important discussions with children about the information you are reading with them. Some prompts are in the form of questions. Other prompts are statements intended to invite children to share their thoughts. You can select the prompts that work for you, add any you feel necessary, and modify to fit the person or group you are reading to. Do not feel the need to stop and use every prompt that is provided, as you want to make sure to hold the meaning of the book.
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According to a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Lebrun-Harris, Ghandour, Kogan, & Warren, 2022), the number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions has considerably increased in recent years. Specifically, this study found a 27% increase in anxiety and a 24% increase in depression. Children of all ages are faced with many day to day challenges in our present world (Deolmi & Pisani, 2020). Studies such as this emphasize the need for more evidence-based resources to assist children in coping with challenges in order to improve their overall health and well-being. This book serves as one of those resources!
I believe that if practiced, these reset strategies will help increase children’s feelings of happiness! I do, however, recognize that certain circumstances warrant additional support and expertise. In that case, these strategies can aid in the supplementary work being done elsewhere.
In this video, Dr. Erin Peterson introduces her new book, "When the Going Gets Tough"and discusses the specific benefits of this book for both adults and children!
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For more information on how this book benefits specific audiences (families, educators, medical professionals, and mental health specialists), please see the "Specific Audiences" tab above.
As an elementary principal, I am proud to recommend this book as a valued addition to every school classroom and library. This beautifully crafted children's book is a powerful tool for helping young readers to recognize and understand their emotions. Through its relatable characters and engaging examples, children can see themselves on every page. Each character offers practical reset strategies, providing children with positive examples of how to navigate their feelings. The kid-friendly examples and relatable storytelling make complex emotions accessible and understandable for young learners. The prompts on each page make each page interactive, sparking meaningful discussions and encouraging deeper reflection. This book doesn't just teach; it fosters an environment where kids can openly talk about their emotions and learn from them.
This book is an inspiring reminder that even when the going gets tough, choosing happiness is always an option. It's a must-have resource for any parent, educator, medical provider or therapist who is dedicated to nurturing emotionally intelligent and resilient children.
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Ali Parkinson (Elementary Principal)
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