Children’s Books on Self-Control

This is part of a continuing series of posts on therapy ideas to support assistants (SLPAs) and paraprofessionals in the schools in their work with students and their supervising SLPs.

Are you looking for books to include in your work on self-control? Here are a couple of my favorites that make for a great discussion with all kinds of groups:

• Debra Doesn’t Take the Dare is a book for children about being a girl being pressured to do something she knows is wrong (drink beer!) in order to join a club she really wants to join. Good conversation starter for older elementary students!

• It’s Hard to Be Five is an honest and refreshing look at what happens when your mind says one thing and your body does another, told from the perspective of a child. Would be great for an in-class activity!

• Hugo the Happy Starfish - The Island of Enthusiasm teaches kids about the important balance between enthusiasm and self-control.

• Jumpin’ Jake Settles Down: A Workbook to Help Impulsive Children Learn to Think Before They Act is a story and activity book about how Jake changes from an "itchin' kind of frog" to a "responsible-thinkin' kind of frog.”

SLPAs and paraprofessionals should always operate within the scope defined by state and national licensing organizations and should only conduct allowable tasks under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.