Read 2 Succeed: Helping kids understand big feelings this school year

Yahoo

3 days ago

As any parent or caregiver knows, helping children navigate big feelings and everyday conflicts isn't easy. Kids can struggle to express themselves clearly, and even the most patient adults sometimes get stuck finding the right words in the heat of the moment.
That's where stories come in this school year.
Books offer a safe and meaningful way to talk with children about emotions, empathy, and healthy relationships. Through the experiences of relatable characters, children can see how others handle anger, sadness, fear or frustration—and begin to name and understand those emotions in themselves. Stories spark conversations that help kids grow socially and emotionally, while also building stronger connections with the adults in their lives.
Children need to see themselves – and others – reflected in the pages they read. When a child feels seen in a story, the lesson becomes real, memorable and powerful. When they read about others' lived experiences, it helps expand their empathy, cultural awareness and curiosity.
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social-emotional learning is about helping children:
Understand and manage their emotions
Show empathy for others
Set goals and make good decisions
Build strong friendships and healthy relationships.
It's not just something that happens in school – it starts at home, in everyday conversations, playtime, routines, and, yes, reading together.
Supporting SEL at Home
Here are a few simple ways to support social-emotional growth with your child:
Talk about feelings – yours and theirs. Name emotions when they come up.
Model healthy communication – show how to listen, take turns and apologize.
Practice problem-solving – use real-life situations to talk through choices.
Celebrate effort and growth, not just outcomes.
How Reading Helps
Reading together can be a powerful tool for building social-emotional skills. Try choosing books that explore emotions, friendships, loss, bravery or community. As you read:
Pause to ask, 'How do you think that character feels?'
Invite your child to share a time they felt the same way.
Talk about how the character handled a challenge – and if they would do the same.
Reflect together after the story ends.
These conversations support both emotional growth and reading comprehension – a win-win.
Building a Social-Emotional Library at Home
A great SEL library doesn't have to be big, but it should be diverse and relevant. Look for books that:
Reflect your child's background, family structure and community
Introduce characters from different cultures, abilities and life experiences
Explore themes like empathy, resilience, kindness, grief or identity
Need ideas? Check out these 5 recommended SEL children's book titles from R2S. Your local librarian can also be a wonderful resource, or check out curated lists from organizations like Lee & Low Books.
Books don't solve every problem, but they can open the door to meaningful connection, insight and healing. When we read with our kids, we're not just building readers – we're nurturing whole, emotionally healthy humans.
For more reading resources or to get involved with Read 2 Succeed, follow R2S on Instagram and Facebook @r2sasheville or visit r2sasheville.org.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How books support social-emotional learning at home
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