First Feelings Sad

First Feelings Sad thoughtfully supports young children as they navigate the complex emotion of sadness. Developed with input from a child psychologist, this book uses gender-neutral characters and carefully chosen illustrations that avoid stereotypes, making it inclusive for all children. It helps readers recognise what sadness feels like and offers gentle strategies for coping, designed to nurture emotional intelligence in both neurodivergent and neurotypical readers. This title is a valuable tool for fostering emotional literacy and resilience.

Educational Benefits:

• Raises awareness of the emotion of sadness and its effects.
• Teaches calming and coping strategies appropriate for young children.
• Promotes inclusiveness through neutral, non-stereotypical presentation.
• Encourages empathy and emotional expression.

Classroom Ideas:

• Facilitate group discussions about times children have felt sad.
• Incorporate into wellbeing lessons focused on emotional regulation.
• Use as a prompt for drawing or storytelling about feelings.
• Introduce mindfulness or breathing exercises inspired by the book.

Information:

• Ages: Early childhood
• Format: Illustrated picture book
• Illustrator: Paula Bowles