Children experience a wide range of emotions, from the joy of excitement to the frustration of anger, and learning to recognize and manage these feelings is an essential part of their emotional development. One fun and effective tool that can help children with emotional regulation is a sensory book. This sensory book craft uses different textures, colors, and materials to engage children in a hands-on way, allowing them to explore their emotions through tactile experiences. We spoke with Tom Timmerman, LSW, a Parent Navigator at Sanford Children’s CHILD Services, to learn how sensory books can play a vital role in helping children understand and cope with emotions like anger, anxiety, or stress.
How Sensory Books Help Children Recognize and Manage Big Emotions
For children who are starting to understand their emotions, this sensory book craft offers a unique way to connect feelings with sensory experiences. As Tom explains, “Children who have started to understand some of their emotions can start to make connections about how a feeling can be similar to a form of sensory stimulation. Something soft or comfy might feel like relaxing, something rough or scratchy might feel like anger, and something sparkly or colorful might feel like happiness.” By associating emotions with textures, colors, and materials, children can begin to identify and understand what different feelings feel like inside their bodies. This sensory connection helps them build emotional awareness and provides a tangible way to process their emotions.
The Power of Tactile and Sensory Experiences
When children are feeling overwhelmed, it can be difficult for them to slow down and regain control. Sensory activities like those found in a sensory book can help. Tom highlights, “Children love to run and make noise and touch lots of things! This is very stimulating and provides beneficial input that brings joy and learning. Using sensory experiences, like a sensory book, gives the opportunity for us to have a variety of sensory inputs for children that can work as a distraction from upset feelings.” Sensory books offer a variety of textures and materials, allowing children to explore different sensory experiences that can help them calm down. A sensory book can help them find the type of sensory input that may cause them feelings of comfort and safety. Some kids may just use their hands while others may rub materials on their nose or their cheeks or squeeze soft, squishy materials in their arms. By exploring different inputs, children can discover what works best for calming their bodies and emotions.
Using the Sensory Book to Teach Self-Soothing Strategies
One of the most valuable ways caregivers can use this sensory book is to guide children in identifying their emotions and learning strategies for self-soothing. “Talk to your child about how different types of materials and textures can create feelings of calm. Help them explore the way these items make them feel as they touch them,” suggests Tom. When caregivers help children connect sensory experiences with emotions, it empowers children to recognize when they are starting to feel upset and find tools to calm down before things escalate. For example, if a child is beginning to feel overwhelmed, they can use the Sensory Book to find materials that help them feel better and regain control of their emotions. “Guide them to the idea they could calm their ‘storms’ by feeling things that make them feel good,” advises Tom.
Making the Sensory Book Part of a Daily Emotional Wellness Routine
Incorporating this sensory book into a child’s daily routine can help them develop emotional regulation skills over time. Tom recommends talking with children about how different materials or textures are similar to the feelings they have. “Encourage them to touch the materials and describe how it makes them feel. Describe to them your own feelings and how you use different items or techniques to calm down when feeling upset, worried, or anxious.” By regularly using the sensory book as part of a daily emotional wellness practice, caregivers can help children develop consistent self-soothing strategies and coping mechanisms for stress or difficult emotions.
Sensory books are an exciting and engaging way to help children recognize, understand, and manage their emotions. Through tactile experiences, children can make connections between physical sensations and their emotional states, helping them become more emotionally aware and better equipped to cope with challenging feelings. As Tom so thoughtfully says, “By helping children explore these sensory experiences, caregivers can empower them to calm their ‘storms’ and prevent emotional ‘explosions’.”
Ready to get crafty? Watch how to make this awesome project here!