We already know the immense value of emotional intelligence and social emotional learning in our classrooms. The ability to understand, express, and manage emotions is a superpower, especially for the amazing kids we service. I’m thrilled to introduce you to an incredible resource that can help students develop these essential skills – the Feelings Adapted Books Bundle.
This bundle is a game-changer for early childhood and special education teachers. It’s filled with adapted books that can help you make emotional intelligence a central part of your teaching. Aaaand… I’m here to tell ya why.
1. Tailored Learning for Diverse Needs
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Feelings Adapted Books Bundle is its adaptability. Each book is designed to meet a variety of learning needs and abilities, making it a fantastic resource for the diverse classrooms you work in. Here’s how it does that:
Visual Supports: Many students benefit greatly from visual supports. The adapted books in this bundle are filled with clear, engaging visuals that help students comprehend complex emotional concepts. These visuals can bridge gaps in understanding and support students with various learning styles.
Sensory-Friendly: For some students, sensory considerations are crucial. The books in this bundle are thoughtfully designed to be sensory-friendly, with interactive components that engage students through touch, sight, and movement. Sensory experiences can enhance learning and help students connect with the material.
Reinforcement and Repetition: Repetition is often key in special education. The adapted books allow students to repeatedly engage with and practice emotional concepts, helping reinforce their understanding over time. The flexibility of these books means they can be used as many times as needed, and pictures can be moved and rearranged to prevent memorization.
Differentiated Instruction: Special education classes often have students with a wide range of abilities. These adapted books allow for differentiated instruction – you can use the same resource for various students by adjusting your approach to meet each child’s unique needs. I like using sensory bins, AAC devices, and partner work to change up how these books are presented and accessed by students.
2. Promoting Emotional Awareness and Expression
Helping your students understand their own emotions and express them is a top priority in special education. The Feelings Adapted Books Bundle is a fantastic tool for nurturing these crucial skills. Here’s how:
Recognizing Emotions: Each book in the bundle focuses on a small set of specific emotions, allowing students to dive deep into the understanding. This targeted approach can be particularly effective for students who struggle with identifying and labeling emotions.
Interactive Learning: The interactive nature of these books engages students actively in the learning process. As they touch and interact with the materials, they connect with the emotions on a more profound level. This kinesthetic learning can be especially beneficial for students with disabilities.
Communication Skills: Many of our students often work directly and explicitly on communication skills. The books in this bundle provide opportunities for students to express their own feelings and thoughts, which can be incredibly empowering. They can use the visuals and prompts to communicate their emotions, even if verbal communication is challenging for them. The Self-awareness skills that develop from this are essential for enhancing independence, confidence, and more.
Self-Regulation: Many students may struggle with emotional regulation. These adapted books can be a great tool to teach self-regulation strategies. By understanding their emotions, students can learn how to manage them effectively. These feelings adapted books could also be a great way to begin introducing coping skills to students!
3. Building Vocabulary and Independence
This adapted book set focuses on building emotion vocabulary while developing academic independence like flipping pages, using velcro pieces, and following along with a repeated task.
Emotion Vocabulary: Emotion vocabulary is such an empowering skill for ALL kids, but especially students with communication delays and challenges. When students practice and focus on building that vocabulary, they in turn are gaining access to words that can help others understand their emotional state at any given time. One of the key reasons I designed these feelings adapted books was to open up the world of emotion vocabulary to ALL learners.
Independence: Adapted books in general can be used in a variety of contexts, from math, to social sciences, to emotional intelligence. When students become more independent, confident, and comfortable with using this format of academic task, it can truly open up their world! Offering a variety of books that target skills in a way all students can access is an easy win.
The Feelings Adapted Books Bundle is a priceless resource for special education teachers.
The feelings adapted book bundle offers tailored learning experiences for diverse needs, promotes emotional awareness and expression, and helps build independence. By incorporating these books into your teaching, you’re not just nurturing emotional intelligence; you’re empowering your students with essential life skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.
