I Can Do That: A Book on Self-Regulation

Can-Do Kids #2

by Kayla J.W. Marnach

I Can Do That! helps children learn self-regulating techniques. Told through rhyme from a child’s point of view, strategies are shared empowering the child to effectively learn and practice ways they can control their emotions and actions when they feel themselves becoming dysregulated. The discussion questions at the end of the book provide an easy transition for counselors and parents to open a discussion, assisting the child in exploring ways they can learn to manage themselves.

Genres: Childrens

29 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2017

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes emotions mount or become almost overpowering. This book offers suggestions to kids on how to handle those moments where they feel the uncontrollable desire to fidget, or when everything builds up inside of them to the point that their bodies start taking control. The stressful energy needs to go somewhere, and through these rhymes, kids learn where they might be able to put it.

The author starts with a foreword to parents, explaining very briefly what dysregulation is and gives quick tips on how caretakers can playfully deal with it. All of this centers around building the self-esteem of a child up at the same time. The main message for kids is the 'I Can Do That', and it encourages readers to realize that they have control even if they don't feel like they do.

The rhymes are simple and take a light-hearted spin through how the building emotions might feel, and then, some easy ways to make them calm back down. The exercises are easy to understand and often ones that can be carried out in a way that won't draw any undesired attention (which might end up adding to the stress). The wording is fun and keeps a cheery mood. While most of it flows with a sing-songy ease, there are moments which stumble over the tongue when read aloud.

Bright, simple illustrations accompany the text, which not only pull in but illustrate the various emotions and exercises. Even here, the encouragement is strong so that readers are built-up and not pulled down.

At the end, dysregulation is a little closer described, tips are offered to caretakers on how to be prepared for such moments or how to avoid them altogether. Then, there's a list of questions which caretakers can use for discussions and building awareness with children.

All in all, it's an encouraging tool to help kids deal with moments where stress or building emotions cause them to fidget or more. It's bright, offers easy tips and comes across with enough fun to keep it from becoming preachy or dry.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

As adults we have learned tools that help us control our emotions, maybe you crack knuckles, maybe you do slow breathing or meditate or maybe you need to take a walk. Whatever you do, it is so important to have a tool to help control the emotions that we experience throughout the day.

For children, these emotions are present and can be difficult for them to understand, explain and talk about. It is important for us as parents and caregivers to understand and watch for signs of these emotions and help them understand what they are feeling. Even more important is giving them tools and techniques to help them control these emotions.

In beautiful rhyme and illustration, I Can Do That! helps children by acknowledging their feelings of being mad or bored from sitting still and how they can help themselves with these feelings. It also lets them know how these useful tools make their body feel better. I think it is important to validate their feelings but to also empower them to take charge of their feelings and actions. I love that Kayla also includes helpful discussion about regulation that forces parents and caregivers to think about actions and their child as well as activities and questions to do with your child. This is a fantastic resource for parents and children.

[Sara Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is SO GREAT because it talks about children controlling themselves. Nervous energy, anger, anxiety, etc are hard things for children to deal with and this book gives the child different techniques they can do to calm down and relax. Chewing gum, pushing a wall, chair push up's, and more are different techniques they can use at home or at school. This would be good for kids who have a hard time at school and sitting for long periods. Perhaps working with the teacher to allow some of these techniques would be beneficial for the student and the rest of the class. Or something to incorporate into the day for all of the students?

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun way for kids to see that they are in control of their bodies and their lives when sometimes, it can feel like you aren't in control of anything. As a kid, it can be hard to have to sit still in class or always do what an adult tells you. In this one, it's kids telling kids what they can do. It's a nice change :) And the discussion questions at the end really make it easy for a parent to sit down with their child and get into a more in-depth discussion. Mister Chu was a little young to understand everything in this book but it is one I will set aside for a year down the road. He did enjoy the rhymes and illustrations, however :) 

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can Do That is one of the three that I will be giving Blake. He gets angry quick and has difficulty sitting still due to his mental health diagnoses and this book is amazing. It has another rhyme scheme but gives ideas what to do when they are angry or can’t sit still.

The wording is aimed right at elementary aged children but I think it is also something that could help remind middle school aged kids as well.

It takes away the ‘being bad’ aspect of not being able to sit still or being mad, and substitutes different ways to handle those behaviors.

There are questions to further the conversation but there are also recommendations for more things to do to be calm and release anger.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to calm down

This book is so helpful especially for kids that has tantrums. As a parent, sometimes it is frustrating when they have tantrums. I Can Do That is very helpful for both parents and kids. It is a very short book but very fun to read. I loved the illustrations too. I remember those days when my son had tantrums, this book is an amazing help.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. Illustrates lots of ideas for coping/calming strategies!