Celebrated child psychologist’s new baby book shows parents how to set an emotional example for children

Celebrated child psychologist’s new baby book shows parents how to set an emotional example for children

Calm, the latest board book from celebrated child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts, is now available from Orca Book Publishers. While most board books are written for babies, Dr. Roberts has written this book to help both the parents who are reading it and their children. With its mantra-like language, Calm encourages parents to slow down and breathe, which in turn allows them to set an emotional example for their children.

“COVID has created a tense and anxiety-filled world which has made parenting even more challenging,” says Dr. Roberts. “It is hard for parents to keep their cool when under stress—but it is absolutely essential for the wellbeing of their children.”

With the ongoing struggle of COVID-19 and the transition back to “normal”, it is more important than ever for parents to coregulate their children’s emotions—even when parents themselves are feeling stressed. “We need to understand that when children are having a hard time it is because they are emotionally/behaviourally dysregulated—they are not trying or intending to give the adults in their lives a hard time,” states Dr. Roberts.

About the Author

Dr. Jillian Roberts is a child psychologist, author and professor at the University of Victoria and mother of three children. Dr. Roberts is a regular contributor to HuffPost, Global News and CBC. She is the author of two bestselling and award-winning series of children’s books: the Just Enough series explains topics like birth and diversity to children ages 3–6, while the World Around Us series introduces kids ages 5–8 to issues like poverty and online safety. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Praise for Calm

“An essential read for caregivers…A lesson of responsive parenting that would serve as a gentle reminder to parents on the good and also exhausting, over-stimulating caregiving days as well. Highly Recommended.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Crisp, heartwarming photos in warm tones that depict racially diverse caregivers holding and comforting tots.” —Kirkus Reviews

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