Dealing with Sadness

Posted on December 8, 2020

by Jozlyn H

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another and plays a crucial role in bringing people together. In order to be empathetic, we need to be able to identify the feelings other people feel and understand why they may feel them. Sadness is one of those feelings and can be particularly difficult to manage – both for ourselves and for supporting others. Sadness can be overwhelming for children, too, especially during this turbulent year.

Books can be a great tool for teaching children how to identify and learn about emotions. With a different holiday season upon us, your children may be sad they won’t be able to see their grandparents, sit on Santa’s lap, or participate in some of their favorite traditions. Explain that it is okay to be sad and that we can carry on while acknowledging the sadness. Teaching children about sadness increases their awareness of their feelings and will also help them be aware of the feelings of others. Here are some books to help teach our children about this important emotion.

Cover of When Sadness is at Your Door Cover of When Sadness is at Your Door

When Sadness is at Your Door

Cover of Sadness Cover of Sadness

Sadness

Cover of It’s Okay to Feel Sad Cover of It’s Okay to Feel Sad

It’s Okay to Feel Sad

Cover of I’m Sad Cover of I’m Sad

I’m Sad

Cover of Small Things Cover of Small Things

Small Things

Cover of This Makes Me Sad Cover of This Makes Me Sad

This Makes Me Sad

Cover of Maybe Tomorrow? Cover of Maybe Tomorrow?

Maybe Tomorrow?

Cover of Who Feels Sad, Dear Dragon? Cover of Who Feels Sad, Dear Dragon?

Who Feels Sad, Dear Dragon?

Cover of Cheer Up, Mouse! Cover of Cheer Up, Mouse!

Cheer Up, Mouse!

Cover of Everyone Gets the Blues Cover of Everyone Gets the Blues

Everyone Gets the Blues

Cover of When I’m Feeling Sad Cover of When I’m Feeling Sad

When I’m Feeling Sad

Cover of Misery Moo Cover of Misery Moo

Misery Moo

Cover of Stuck With The Blooz Cover of Stuck With The Blooz

Stuck With The Blooz

Cover of The Sad Squirrel Cover of The Sad Squirrel

The Sad Squirrel

Cover of Sad Cover of Sad

Sad

Books to help parents teach empathy:

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