Stay Cool and In Control with the Keep-Calm Guru: Wise Ways for Children to Regulate their Emotions and Senses

by Lauren Brukner, Apsley (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet the Keep-Calm Guru, our expert guide to the art of staying cool, calm, and in control in the face of overpowering feelings!

This illustrated book introduces wise ways for children to recognize and cope with anxiety, anger, frustration, and other difficult emotions. Using everything from yoga poses and pressure holds, to deep breathing and relaxing coloring activities, the Keep-Calm Guru shows kids how to take back control and feel cool, calm, and just right.

Suitable for children with sensory and emotional regulation difficulties aged approximately 7-14 years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785927140
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	09/21/2016
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	7 - 14 Years

About the Author

Lauren Brukner is a Senior Occupational Therapist and published author of six books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She currently works as a Senior Occupational Therapist and evaluator for the NYC Department of Education. She has contributed to Scary Mommy, the Huffington Post, and Edutopia. Lauren was a speaker at UNESCO's Virtual Special Kids International Summit in April of 2020. She appeared as a guest on the Sue Larkey Show, The Autism Show, The Manhattan Neighborhood Network's School-Home Connection, the Sue Atkins Show, and The Matt Townsend Show. She was quoted in the Wall Street Journal on self-regulation tips for traveling. Her books have been endorsed by experts in the field such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, and Dr. Winnie Dunn, and listed as resources on websites such as Real Simple Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Psych Central, Romper, Everyday Health, Aol's Health and Wellness, MSN Health, Singapore's Child, and Friendship Circle, among other websites/libraries/community/academic/parenting sources.

Table of Contents

Part 1: For Kids. 1. Meet the Keep-Calm Guru. 2. What Is Your Light?. 3. The Mind-Body Connection. 4. The Big Four: Slow and Tired, Fast and Emotional, Fast and Wiggly, and Just Right. 5. Making Abstract Feelings Tangible. 6. Specific Steps to Get to that Just Right Feeling. 7. How This Book Works. 8. Anywhere Body Breaks: The Science Behind the How, the Why, and the What. 9. Anywhere Body Breaks. 10. Tools: Using the Stuff Most of You (Probably) Already Have. 11. Big Body Breaks: Or Shall We Say, Yoga. 12. The End of Our Journey - For Now. 13. Sum it Up. Part 2: For Adults. Acknowledgements. 14. For Parents and Caregivers - How to Get the Most Out of this Book. 15. For Teachers and Therapists - How to Get the Most Out of this Book. 16. Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs and its Connection to Child Development. 17. Supports to Promote Overall Self-Regulation. Appendix 1: 'Just Right' Checklist. Appendix 2: 'Draw and Jot Journaling' Card. Appendix 3: 'My List of Ten' Card. Appendix 4: 'Positive Affirmations' Bookmark. Appendix 5: 'Just Right' Self-Monitoring Checklist. Appendix 6: At a Glance Reminder Desk Strips: Anywhere Body Breaks, Tools, and Big Breaks/Yoga. Appendix 7: At a Glance Reminder Bracelets: Anywhere Body Breaks Only.

Editorial Reviews

Lots of practical, easy-to-use methods to help kids calm down.

Temple Grandin

Sometimes when I'm angry I hurt people and it makes me sad afterwards. Mum taught me some of these ideas to help me be more controlled and they really work. I'm going to teach them to my friends too so we can all be calm and kind.

age 6 Lyra

Emotional and sensory regulation can present as an insurmountable obstacle when difficulties arise and effects behaviors and everyday tasks. Brukner not only tackles these issues head on, but does it from a perspective of an expert occupational therapist and Mother. This allows for sensible practicality teamed with proven evidence based research that truly garners results.

Dr. Frederick B. Covington

A fantastic resource to help children learn strategies to regulate emotions and senses. Self-regulation is a key to success for all students, from social situations to learning students need to use different strategies to regulate their emotions. This ready-to-use book full of timesavers and proformas is a must for all schools and families.

Sue Larkey

This book speaks the gentle, smart language that empowers kids to recognize their feelings and learn practical approaches to feel and function better. It's filled with powerful techniques-from deep breathing exercises to sensory modulation tools, from journaling to positive self-talk and yoga poses-that can make a big difference each and every day for stressed-out kids and teens.

Lindsey Biel

There is something for everyone in this toolbox of tangible strategies for staying calm and in control. The book cleverly and clearly explores what we feel, why we feel like that and how we can address those feelings. Well explained ideas for readers and clear guidance for supporting adults makes for a book that many will find indispensable.

Pooky Knightsmith