Building Emotional Health in Elementary and Middle School Children: Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions Workbook Series

This series of six workbooks teaches the basic building blocks of self-awareness and self-empowerment. They are geared toward children in third to eighth grades. Nevertheless, these workbooks are accessible to every person over the age of 8 years old.

The workbooks for grades 3, 4, and 5 are entitled Learning about FEELINGS and ACTIONS because children learn about these two concepts. The workbooks for grades 6, 7, and 8 are entitled Learning about THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, and ACTIONS because children learn about these three concepts and the relationship among them. Each workbook has a corresponding Manual for Teachers and Parents that includes special notes and instructions, checklists, and the answers to exercises.

Children begin with Grade 3 Workbook and progress in the appropriate sequence because every workbook constitutes an essential building block for the next one. I set some general standards for use, but children can complete these workbooks at their own pace.

With Grades 3 , 4 , and 5 Workbooks, children will learn to recognize and express their feelings in healthy actions. Also, children become aware of the consequences of their actions and their power to choose healthy actions in their lives.

With Grades 6 , 7 , and 8 Workbooks, children learn to identify healthy and unhealthy thoughts and realize about the power of their thoughts to determine their feelings and actions. Also, children learn that choosing healthy thoughts will lead them to healthy actions.

When completing the workbooks, children read the concepts and do exercises to apply the information learned. The exercises are fun and familiar and require creativity and critical thinking.

These workbooks are not standardized instruments to diagnose or treat psychological problems. They are designed for any setting where teaching and educating children is the primary focus. These workbooks exclude no child because they are down-to-earth and tangible, and are developed in a clear and progressive manner.

Recommended references

California School Boards Association www.csba.org
National Institute of Mental Health www.nimh.nih.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development www.nichd.nih.gov
American Psychological Association www.apa.org