There is something magical about bringing children together through stories, art, creativity, and social emotional learning (SEL).
I recently collaborated with A Little Wyld in Delray Beach, Florida, to read my latest children’s book, Finley the Fish. But this wasn’t just a children’s book reading. It was an opportunity for kids to get creative, talk about their feelings, learn how to breathe through fear and anxiety, and give back to children in our local South Florida community.
Teaching Kids to Breathe Through Big Feelings
Finley the Fish was created to help children explore emotional wellness and social emotional learning (SEL) through storytelling.
During our reading, we talked about big feelings like fear and anxiety and practiced how slowing down and focusing on our breathing can help us feel calmer when those emotions become overwhelming.
Teaching children simple emotional regulation and mindfulness techniques gives them tools they can continue practicing as they grow. Through approachable stories and relatable characters, important SEL concepts can become something children understand, remember, and enjoy learning about.
Turning Our Story Into Art
After reading Finley the Fish, our little readers became artists! 🎨🐠
The children created their own artwork inspired by the story, giving them another way to express themselves and connect with what they had learned.
Combining children’s books, art activities, mindfulness, and SEL makes learning interactive. Instead of simply hearing a story, children get to experience its message through creativity and play.
Reading, Creating & Giving Back
The day was made even more meaningful because our event helped raise money for the KidsPack Program at Boca Helping Hands, supporting children and families in our local community.
Giving back is an important part of what we do at Auntie Angeline. Along with encouraging literacy and emotional wellbeing, I want children to discover the importance of kindness, compassion, and caring for the people around them.
A children’s book reading can become so much more than storytime. It can be an opportunity to learn about ourselves, create something beautiful, and make a difference for someone else.
Thank You, A Little Wyld!
A huge thank you to A Little Wyld in Delray Beach for welcoming me and creating such a special space where children could read, create, learn, and give back.
And thank you to every family and little reader who joined us!
Watching the children discover Finley the Fish, create their own art, practice breathing through their big feelings, and help other kids in their community was incredibly special.
This is what Auntie Angeline is all about: using children’s books, creativity, literacy, and #SEL to help little ones understand their emotions, build confidence, develop a love of reading, and grow into compassionate members of their communities.
Bring Auntie Angeline to Your School or Children’s Event
Looking for a children’s author in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, or South Florida for your school, library, bookstore, children’s event, or community program?
Auntie Angeline’s interactive children’s book readings combine storytelling, art, literacy, mindfulness, and social emotional learning activities to create an experience children can participate in and remember.
Explore Finley the Fish and more from Auntie Angeline, or inquire about bringing an interactive children’s author reading and SEL activity to your school, organization, or next children’s event.