Every child experiences big feelings; anger, frustration, sadness, or even joy that can seem too large to manage. Learning to recognize, name, and navigate those emotions is an important part of growing up, but it isn’t always easy.
At Wordplay Kids’ Books, we believe stories and play can be powerful tools for helping children understand themselves and the world around them. With the right books, games, and activities, families can turn tough emotional moments into opportunities for connection, calm, and growth.
Understanding Big Feelings
Big feelings are a normal part of childhood. They often show up when a child faces something unfamiliar, feels disappointed, or doesn’t yet have the words to express what’s happening inside. Helping kids build emotional vocabulary and regulation skills doesn’t just prevent meltdowns; it strengthens confidence, empathy, and problem-solving for life.
Parents and caregivers play a key role in this process. By modeling calm behavior and creating space for open conversation, adults can help children learn that emotions aren’t something to fear; they’re something to understand.
6 Tips to Help Kids Manage Big Feelings
At Wordplay Kids’ Books, we often talk about the simple steps families can take to guide children through emotional challenges. Here are six of our favorite strategies:
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Ask questions. Start by helping children talk about what’s happening. Even simple questions like “What happened?” can help bring clarity to a tough situation for both you and your child.
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Name the emotion. When kids can identify what they’re feeling, such as angry, nervous, disappointed, or excited, it helps them regain control. Naming emotions builds emotional literacy and makes big feelings feel smaller and more manageable.
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Validate the emotion. Let your child know that their feelings are real and okay. Saying things like “I understand you’re upset” or “That sounds frustrating” teaches empathy and builds trust. We all just want to be heard.
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Model calm behavior. Children learn from the adults around them. When you stay composed during stressful moments, you’re showing them how to handle their emotions with patience and care.
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Soothe with play. Play can be an incredible way for children to process emotions and find calm. Whether it’s coloring, building, or playing a memory game, creative activities help release tension and refocus energy. Keep reading for our picks from Wordplay Kids’ Books!
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Encourage conversation. Once the big feelings have passed, talk about what happened. Reflecting together helps kids learn from their experiences and feel empowered to handle similar situations in the future – without the big feelings.
Books That Build Emotional Awareness
Stories have a way of connecting with children on a level that simple instruction cannot. They invite empathy, spark curiosity, and model healthy emotional responses in a way that feels natural and engaging.
One wonderful choice is Gratitude For Kids by Shannon Roberts, which teaches the power of thankfulness through bright, cheerful illustrations and simple lessons in positivity. This book reminds children that even small acts of gratitude can make a big difference in how they see the world.
For a story that celebrates uniqueness and self-acceptance, Butterfly Child by Marc Majewski explores identity and transformation through beautiful imagery and heartfelt prose. It’s a tender story about embracing who you are and finding strength in your individuality—perfect for helping children process feelings about fitting in and self-expression.
And for a creative outlet that supports emotional regulation, Under the Sea: How to Draw Books for Kids by Alli Koch is an excellent choice. Drawing can calm the mind and provide a healthy focus for big emotions, while encouraging patience and creativity.
Play That Promotes Calm and Connection
Books aren’t the only way to help kids navigate emotions. Play is a form of learning and healing all its own. Wordplay Kids’ Books offers jigsaw puzzles and memory games that encourage focus, cooperation, and problem-solving—skills that build resilience and calm under pressure. Sometimes these items can even be a needed distraction during a tantrum.
Working on a puzzle together can teach persistence and teamwork while giving kids space to think and relax. Memory games, meanwhile, strengthen concentration and patience in a lighthearted, interactive way. Both activities can be wonderful tools for soothing strong emotions and creating positive family time.
Growing Through Every Emotion
Helping children manage big feelings doesn’t mean avoiding them—it means teaching kids how to move through emotions with awareness, kindness, and confidence. Whether through reading, conversation, or play, every effort to nurture emotional intelligence helps kids grow into empathetic, thoughtful individuals.
At Wordplay Kids’ Books, we’re passionate about supporting families as they raise curious, compassionate readers. Our carefully curated collection of books, puzzles, and games offers opportunities for children to explore feelings, practice mindfulness, and build emotional strength—one story and one play session at a time.
Visit Wordplay Kids’ Books to discover titles and activities that make emotional learning joyful, engaging, and unforgettable.