Children’s Books About Self-Control and Making Choices
Stories give children a little distance to think about choices, waiting and other people’s space. Choose a situation your child recognizes, then practice one helpful response together during a calm moment.
At a Glance
- Best for: Preschool and elementary shared reading; choose by title and reading level
- Explore: Choices, waiting, personal space and asking for help
- Try next: A short puppet scene
Jump to:
Choose a Story Around One Situation
- Excitement and personal space: Try Clark the Shark, Hands Off, Harry! or We Don’t Eat Our Classmates. Ask how a character could join in while leaving room for others.
- Choices and consequences: Browse What If Everybody Did That?, What Should Danny Do? School Day or Sorry!. Preview the situations and language to match your child.
- Speaking and listening: Consider My Mouth Is a Volcano!, I Can’t Believe You Said That! or Well, I Can Top That! for a discussion about what characters say.
- Waiting and wanting: I Really Want the Cake can start a conversation about wanting something and deciding what to do.
More Books in the Collection
My Magical Choices presents 13 "I choose" statements that empower children to take responsibility for their days and inspire them to use conscious language and choose to be calm, forgiving, brave, honest, friendly, and much more.
In I Have Ants in My Pants, Julia Cook helps normalize the feeling many kids have when they struggle to control their wiggles and provides strategies for improving impulse control.
Meet Quilliam, a loveable porcupine with a not-so-lovable temper. His friends have to run for cover whenever he gets mad. Can Quilliam learn to control his shooting quills before someone gets hurt?
This book about little Nick:
- contains lovely illustrations and lightly rhyming storyline
- helps children recognize and cope with their anger in a funny way through communication with zoo animals
- offers a variety of calming techniques and is aimed to improve kids self-regulation skills
- teaches children to admit their mistakes and say “I’m sorry”
- includes a bonus coloring page
Read, Pause and Rehearse
- Enjoy the story before turning it into a discussion.
- Choose one moment and ask, “What could the character try?”
- Use a puppet to practice a phrase such as “Can I have a turn next?”
- Offer help in a real situation; a child may need reminders and support even after understanding the story.
For a Quiet-Moment Theme
The original collection also suggests Yoga and Mindfulness: A Toolkit for Kids, My Magic Breath, A World of Pausabilities, The Lemonade Hurricane and Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree. Preview one if that approach interests your child; participation can stay optional.
Keep It Supportive
- Talk about a helpful action rather than labeling a child as good or bad.
- Practice while calm, and keep expectations appropriate to age and ability.
- Accept feelings while helping your child keep actions safe.
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