Bad days are a part of life. We all have them. And while I usually prefer to think (and read) about happy things like Puppies and Kindness and all the silliness, I also think it is important to talk about the less fun stuff with kids.
Stories like the classic ALEXANDER and his horrible day comfort kids in sharing that some days are just terrible. We all have them. Stories like KEVIN THE UNICORN’s show kids the negative effects of the pressure of perfection and the importance of expressing their feelings.
Also Read: Children’s Books, Storytimes, and Activity Ideas for Kids Stuck at Home During the Covid 19 Pandemic
I want my kids to feel like they can talk to me about anything – even the stuff that makes them uncomfortable or sad. For us, reading together is a great way to start a conversation.
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Very Bad Day Story Time
Below are children’s books to read aloud and activity ideas for a storytime or circle time or just home activity about bad days (and how to turn them around!)
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Children’s Books about a Bad Day
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst
Illustrated by Ray Cruz
This is a classic and for good reason – even decades later we still empathize with Alexander. We’ve all had the kind of day that just seems to keep beating us down a little further at every turn.
It’s Not All Rainbows
by Jessika von Innerebner
We all have bad days, but unicorns don’t. Unicorns are perfect and they are always cheerful. Or are they? Kevin the Unicorn has only experienced perfect unicorn days full of “magical awesomeness” until one day he wakes up on the floor and his day only gets worse from there. Poor disheveled Kevin has got to be one of the relatable unicorns ever. This is a cute book full of energy, emotion, and unicorns. It is bursting with color, but also the message that some days aren’t perfect and that’s okay….even if you’re a unicorn.
How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler
Little Jumbo’s Dad is having a bad day. It’s hard to imagine why (insert lots of daily parenting battles here) but Jumbo is determined to cheer up his dad. This is such a sweet book full of Dad and son bonding. Super Jumbo is also a ton of fun and I love it for this one because it’s a different perspective on a bad day. How do we help someone else come out of a bad day?
Songs + Rhymes + Group Activities about
- Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” but with all the emotions. ‘If you’re sad you can cry…’ and ‘if you’re mad you can stomp your feet’ etc.
Bad Day Activity Ideas
Below are a couple of ideas related to this week’s theme to extend story time either at the table or play area.
Literacy Activities
- Happiness Planner (free printable!) from Kiddy Charts
- Brainstorm a list of things that can cheer someone up when they’re having a bad day – like this list of 5 Ways to Change the Tone of Your Day from Childhood 101 or this 5 Ways To Turn Around Your Bad Preschool Day from Homeschool Preschool.
- Read more children’s books about big emotions.
- Simple Book Inspired Lesson about Emotions for Preschoolers
Math Activities
- Cookies always make someone feel better and these are even better – Rainbow Cookies from RedTedArt
Other
- Make someone a Bucket of Happiness from Artsy Momma. I think this goes so well with the last story and teaching empathy.
- Zones of Regulation Dice from Play Based Parenting are a great way to teach self regulation and maybe prevent day days from escalating.
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