Today’s blog post is onThe Life and Soul Library series: the innovative new books designed to help both children and adults alike with tackling some of the more difficult aspects that often accompany family life. Written by child psychologists Dr Emma Waddington and Dr Christopher McCurry, this revolutionary series provides the perfect platform from which to encourage open discussion with your little ones. With the advice and guidance provided throughout these books; parents and carers can explore and address social conventions and behaviours alongside their little ones – the question and answer format within each book helping adults to confidently answer the questions little ones might have along the way.

Illustrated with the playful graphics of Louis Thomas, each scene poses a different question so that your little one can empathise with its corresponding scenario and learn to manage their feelings in a healthy way. From issues surrounding broken families to general social interaction, the series covers a broad range of topics and is presented in a thematic, child-friendly format. So let’s take a look at some of the ways in which to use the books, as well as some of the situations it covers and how you can adapt these to suit your own family dynamic.

Why do I have to say please and thank you? explores manners and social conduct, helping little ones to comprehend their own behaviour, develop an awareness of others and understand the importance of sharing and being polite.

Before looking to the guidance notes, ask your little one to take a look at the scene in front of them and ask some questions – why not try the following with the image below:

What they think is happening here?

Do they think it is acceptable to behave this way?

Have they ever experienced a similar scenario? How did they respond?

Why do I have to eat my greens? (pictured below), identifies commonly-asked questions among little ones concerning food, hygiene and safety; in order to foster your child’s sense of health and well-being. Exploring the different scenarios together will help your little one develop a sense of self-care; as well as help them learn to resolve conflicts calmly and address such problems as healthy eating and wetting the bed.

Moving toward cultural matters Why are people different colours?, explores issues of race and ethnicity and helps you address your little one’s questions about diversity comfortably. Again, as you go through the book together, illustrated questions prompt your little one to think about the cultural issues they’re beginning to notice in the world around them, and enable you to harness their curiosity with ease.

As well as the guidance notes seen at the bottom of the page below, you’re provided with questions such as ‘Why does our teacher wear a headscarf?’, ‘Why do some people have more food than others?’ and ‘How come she is in a wheelchair?’. Questions that encourage open-mindedness in your little ones and teach them to respect others and develop personal values.

Before prompting your little one, you could try asking them if they can spot anything different about the teacher in the illustration below, and what they think it means?

Finally, Why don’t we all live together anymore? explores the difficult questions surrounding separation, encouraging your little one to communicate their feelings on this sensitive topic. Helping to resolve any anxieties or anger following a family break-up, the explanations and information provided allow you to address your little one’s uncertainties in a clear way, enabling them to achieve a sense of security.

Raising questions concerning identity, school and where to live after a family break-up, encourage your little one to discuss feelings that are difficult to talk about and to manage their own behaviour.

As well as other difficult situations….

The Life and Soul Library series is set to be the definitive guide to child care and child development. Written by leading experts within this field, and encouraging healthy interaction between adult and child – these books are geared towards helping a new generation find their own two feet within an ever-changing world.