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Some Assembly RequiredAuthor: Wesleyan School
Some Assembly Required: Because kids don't come with an instruction manual, is a podcast for real parents raising real kids. Hosted by two staff members at Wesleyan School, an independent K-12 school in the metro Atlanta area, the goal of this podcast is to provide practical things to consider when raising school-aged children. Guests will typically be one faculty member from Wesleyan paired with another expert on the topic we are discussing. Our hope is that anyone who loves school-aged children can use these resources, regardless of where you live or where your children attend school. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Raising Resilient Hearts: How Books Help Kids Understand Their Feelings
Episode 14
Thursday, 9 April, 2026
How do stories help children better understand their own emotions? In this episode, we’re joined by children's author Trudy Ludwig, and Dr. Nancy Jones, lower school dean of counseling and student services and director of counseling at Wesleyan School. Trudy and Nancy help us explore the powerful role books play in building emotional insight and resilience in kids. Through shared experiences, relatable characters, and meaningful conversations, stories give children a safe way to recognize feelings, reflect on challenges, and see that they’re not alone.Our guests discuss how reading about characters in familiar situations helps children name emotions, develop empathy, and practice problem‑solving—often before they have the words to do so on their own. Parents will walk away with practical ideas for choosing books, asking thoughtful questions, and using story time as a springboard for deeper emotional growth. Whether your child is navigating big feelings, social challenges, or everyday worries, this conversation highlights how stories can become trusted tools for emotional learning at home.BONUS - book recommendations from Trudy and Nancy.Trudy's Favorites: Broken by X. Fang What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose (Tricycle Press,1998)The Day You Begin by Jacqueline WoodsonNo More Chairs by Dan Gill Where Oliver Fits by Cale AtkinsonThe Dot by Peter Reynolds The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue ParkThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy I'm Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle LukoffNancy's Favorites:Big Life Journal: A Growth Mindset Journal for Children and Big Life Journal – Growth Mindset & Gratitude Journal for Teens and TweensSticky Situations: 365 Devotions for Kids and Families and Sticky Situations 2: 365 Devotions for Elementary Kids by Betsy ScmittYou Get What You Get by Julie GassmanBrave Every Day by Trudy LudwigMy Secret Bully by Trudy LudwigFail-A-Bration by Brad and Kristi MontagueNinja Life Hacks series by Mary Nhin Julia Cook books (over 100 books on many social-emotional learning topics)Diane Alber books (over 100 books on many social-emotional learning topics)The Way I Feel, The Way I Act, and The Way I Feel Too by Janan CainI Am Enough and I Believe I Can by Grace ByersI Can’t Wait! By Tim ElmoreWhen Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni
