Emotional literacy
Emotional literacy
Innovative social and emotional literacy card packs
Card packs with cartoons/photos and words to represent emotions, strengths, relationships, social justice, parenting, etc.
Just like Molly
A 24 page illustrated book about starting school, saying goodbye to an imaginary friend and making new friends. Covers friendships, imagination, anxiety and courage.
King of the playground
Topics: friendship, bullying, emotional literacy.
Fiction
Kevin loves to go to the playground, but not when Sammy is there. Sammy, who boasts that he is King of the Playground, is there most of the time. If he catches Kevin on the swings or the slide or the monkey bars, Sammy says, he will do awful, terrible things to him. A book about friendship and bullying.
Ages: 4 to 8 years.
Little Monkey's one safe place
Topics: emotional literacy, safety, families.
Fiction
When Little Monkey is frightened by the storm he runs to his mother's side. "Don't worry," she says. "There is always one safe place." But Little Monkey doesn't know where to find his one safe place.
Ages: 3 to 6 years.
Little Mouse's big book of fears
Topics: emotional literacy, fears.
Fiction
A little mouse talks about all of his fears - creepy crawlies, what's under the bed, sharp knives, being sucked down the drain, having toilet accidents, loud noises, being alone, the dark, getting lost, dogs and cats, everything! But the human is afraid of me.
Age: 5 to 8 years.
Lucy and the bully
Topics: friendships, bullying, emotional literacy
Fiction
Lucy loves everything about school - except for Tommy, who is a big bully. This book not only deals with school bullying, but also addresses the bully's feelings.
Age: 3 to 6 years.
YouTube version 5min 17sec + author discussion at end (external link)
Making every school a health-promoting school
This article provides comment on the effects of COVID on mental health on children and social inequalities. It points to the idea that schools should be appreciated not only as sites for academic and social learning, but also settings that can enhance student health and wellbeing.
Monster Chef
Topic: strengths, emotional literacy
Fiction
Marcel was a monster of medium size with crotchety horns and googly eyes. He was lumpy and grumpy and suitably hairy. But Marcel had a problem ... he just wasn't scary. But one day, Marcel discovers that his cooking can give kids a real fright. Has he finally found the perfect job...as a Monster Chef?
Age: 3 to 8 years.
More secret girls' business
Topics: puberty, menstruation.
Non-fiction
Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.
Age: 8+
Multicultural Communities Council of WA (MCCWA)
MCCWA supports and advocates disadvantaged individuals from CaLD backgrounds to realise their potential as active contributors to the economic, social and cultural life of WA. Their youth program includes a 'youth conversation circle' which provides opportunity for newly arrived migrants to practice their communication skills in a health, wellbeing (including sexual health) and relationships context.
No more teasing!
Topics: friendships, families, teasing, emotional literacy
Fiction
Mimi loves her cousin Momo but he teases her all the time and she doesn't like it. Grandma helps to make a cunning plan so that Momo soon realises that teasing isn't such a good idea.
Age: 4+ years.
Reachout.com
Information, support and resources to help young people improve their understanding of mental health issues, develop resilience, and increase their coping skills and help-seeking behaviour.
RELATE: Respectful relationships education program
A free three stage education program for high school students. Each stage offers a term of scaffolded lessons that builds upon the previous stage. Topics include: gender stereotypes and expectations, respectful relationship qualities, non-consensual image sharing, decision making frameworks, communication techniques, sexual consent and sexual assault, help seeking and critical analysis.
Rock and water program
Rock and Water Program offers a new way to interact with students through physical/social teaching. The program leads from games, simple self defence, boundary and communication exercises to a strong notion of self-confidence, purpose and motivation. Topics include: body language, mental strength, empathic feeling, positive feeling, positive thinking and visualising, bullying, sexual harassment, homophobia, life goals, desires and following an inner compass.
Secret boys' business (2nd Ed.)
Topics: puberty
Non-fiction
A puberty resource for boys, families, schools and community groups to explain the physical and emotional changes of puberty.
Age: 9 to 13 years.
Secret girls' business
Topics: puberty, menstruation.
Non-fiction
Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.
Age: 8+
Silly baby
Topics: new baby, families, coping strategies, changes
Fiction
Beth has a new baby brother. He cries, he poos, he gets all the attention. Silly, silly Baby! But grandma shows Beth that he is small and soft and can smile at his big sister – and Beth thinks that maybe he isn't so silly after all. This story is about a child learning to cope with a new baby in the family.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Standing on my own two feet: A child's affirmation of love in the midst of divorce
Topics: change, emotional literacy, divorce, families
Fiction
Addison is a regular kid whose parents are going through a divorce, but he knows that no matter what happens, his parents will always love him.
Age: 3 to 7 years.
Taking care of your body during puberty video
2min 45sec video by AMAZE showing ways to take care of your body during puberty.
Talk Soon. Talk Often: a guide for parents talking to their kids about sex
A WA Department of Health booklet developed to support parents to initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about relationships and sexuality. Age and stage appropriate information for parents with children birth to teens. First published 2011, updated in 2019.