Calm-Down Time

Toddler Tools

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Every parent, caregiver—and toddler—knows the misery that comes with meltdowns and temper tantrums. Through rhythmic text and warm illustrations, this gentle, reassuring book offers toddlers simple tools to release strong feelings, express them, and calm themselves down. Children learn to use their calm-down place—a quiet space where they can cry, ask for a hug, sing to themselves, be rocked in a grown-up’s arms, talk about feelings, and breathe: “One, two, three . . . I’m calm as can be. I’m taking care of me.” After a break, toddlers will feel like new—and adults will, too. Books include tips for parents and caregivers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Parenting, Self Help

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so chuck full of ideas on how to feel better when you feel sad or upset. I think it would help young children, children, teens and even adults.

** Talking Points: What makes you sad? What makes you mad? What do you do to work through and release those more difficult emotions? Who are the sad people in your life? Who are the mad people in your life? Who are the happy people in your life?

** Essential Oil Pairing Tip: I'd roll on doTERRA's Calmer essential oil blend that is made especially for children (although adults love it too). It works just like the name says!

[L.K. Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my 19 month old who has started having tantrums sometimes. He's too young to understand it properly yet, but the tips at the back for parents are useful and he enjoys flicking through it looking at the pictures. As he gets a bit older I feel that the idea of doing a breathing exercise to calm down should be simple to understand, as well as the idea of talking about a problem or asking for a hug. Overall I'm pleased with this book and I think it will be a really helpful tool for my toddler in the future.

[Baby Goode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom liked the parent tips at the end better than the book itself, but I was interested in the rhythm of this book.

[Cindy Petzoldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book about feelings to share with young children. My Ready Readers preschoolers (2-5 year olds) follow along with solemn empathy as children of multiple races share how sometimes they feel sad, mad — and then the book empowers the reader to take a “deeeeep breath” and count to 3 — “I’m taking care of me!” I read this book multiple times to one classroom, and at the end of the school year I presented each child with their own copy to take home. One little boy turned around and hugged me, and later he told the teacher that this is his favorite book because now he can count 1-2-3 and breathe in and out, and feel better. Elizabeth Verdick and Marieka Heinlen created a classic here — every home, every library, and every young child should have a copy of this book for their very own. I think it’s out of print — please, Free Spirit Publishing, bring it back!

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

1.) Calm-Down Time
2.) Social/Emotional Skill: The skills being taught here are self control and self regulation emotionally.
3. I would use this book in a cozy corner of the classroom to help the children to see that sometimes when we are upset we need time to just relax and to calm down to breathe. This book will help the kids to see that their are healthy ways to cope with stressful situations. I liked that this book was very soothing when I read it and that it can be a useful tool for teachers or parents. This book is a great tool to help children realize that even when we get upset we need to cool off and use self-control.

[Annie Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for teaching children how to stay calm or calm themselves down when they are sad or mad. I highly recommend this book for teachers/caregivers, babysitters, children, and parents to read, because it is important to teach children to learn to manage their strong feelings. It is ok for the young ones to feel the way they feel, but their actions to their feelings are often misunderstood as them being "bad" but it really is a mistaken behavior. Throughout this book they talk about different ways children can learn to calm themselves down, and how us as adults can be of help. At the end of the story, it also has tips for parents and caregivers on suggestions of what to do.

[Angel Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable! It is a nice resource for teaching small children different cool down methods when they are feeling strong emotions. This book pairs well with any previous discussion on guidance techniques for calming down. This book can help teach the concept of self regulation in terms of emotions. I think this book is helpful in establishing a calm down routine with young children.

[Edshara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since we’ve had this checked out, I’ve read it to the little ones twice. It’s simple enough that we can implement the calm-down routine in our daily lives. It’s also, surprisingly(to me anyway) one of the few books that keeps their attention from start to finish. I love that they like it and I’m sure I’ll read it a few more times before we return it.

[Eystein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our 2 year old loved this book, but then all new books/presents are great. I'm not sure if it will have the desired affect yet, but I'm often reffering to "calm down" and taking a deep breath, and I think with time, they will too.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series is called “toddler tools.” We are big Elizabeth Verdick fans around here. Not quite as catchy as Daniel tiger songs, it’s great used in conjunction. I think we need to own this one.

[Ndengo Bwanga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through this book, children can release their strong feelings, and calm themselves down. Children learn to use their calm down place. For example, a quiet place where they can express their feelings. This is a great and wonderful book for young children.

[Nora Manriquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it gives children helpful techniques to calm down. It also shows how you may feel when you are mad or sad. The only thing is that I don't like that it only has two emotions but do like the techniques. I would definitely read this book to children.

[Jenna Kistner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book " Calm- Down Time" shows children ways they can regulate their emotions when they need to calm down. Through reading this book children will have a range of examples on how they can cool down if they are having a rough time.

[Isabel Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for young children because children learn simple ways to express their feelings. They know how to calm themselves down. The child will know they can take deep breaths to help calm themselves. I really loved the pictures!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for children who need help monitoring their behaviors. Wonderful parent tips at the end of the book. More liniment in parenting style with the tips than some parents would choose.

[Giselle Ates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reinforcement for dealing with tantrums.

[Eliot Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dual language board book with text in English and Spanish, about different coping mechanisms, like taking a deep breath and counting to 3, to help kids calm themselves down.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super spot on.

Wish the art was different but it also totally worked.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good pointers here.

[Mayra Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a great book to read to children to remind them of great ways to calm down. this is an amazing self-soothing guardian book and a great early reader book.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, clear, accessible to kids.

[Bella Noorbakhsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book because it really lets the child know it is okay to feel feelings and to breathe and discuss.

[Desaimonali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kids book which is relevant for adults too. We all need calm down time in our lives! :)

[Epifania Rita Gallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for kids and parents

[Cassidy Cornblatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I have read this book to our son a number of times since he was a baby and he refers to it now as a 4 year old when he wants to calm down or wants his younger sister to calm down.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great resources for teaching toddlers important skills! The illustrations are colorful and pretty to look at too.

[Bridgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby breathes along with me while I count *cries*

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great board book for toddlers about how to clam down when upset.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute way to work through big emotions. Not too woke leaning, but I still think it would need more to be a complete five star.

[Elias Hoffman]

Early early sel