5 Books to Help Teach Kids about Healthy Boundaries
It’s never too soon to start teaching your child about healthy physical boundaries.
Many parents are on the lookout for books they can read with their children that can teach healthy boundaries, consent, healthy relationships, tolerance and mindfulness.
The following five books are recommended to start reading with your children as early as age three and can help start conversations that build a healthy future for your child.
My Body! What I Say Goes!
by Jayneen Sanders
This book aims to empower children by teaching them about personal body safety and how to stand up for themselves and ask for help when they feel they are being disrespected. For ages 3 to 9 years.
“An excellent addition to the suite of resources produced by Jayneen Sanders. With clear, child-friendly language, and cheerful illustrations this book is empowering.”
– Yael Clark, Parinatal and Paediatric Psychologist
No Means No!
by Jayneen Sanders
This book about a young girl who is verbal about her personal and physical boundaries as a way to teach children to expect respect from children and adults alike. For ages 2-9 years.
“This is a lovely book about teaching children about personal boundaries, respect and consent; empowering kids by respecting their choices and their right to say ‘no.’”
– Benowa Early Learning
No Difference Between Us
by Jayneen Sanders
Also by Jayneen Sanders, this book explores gender equality, respect, and tolerance. It emphasizes that boys and girls can like the same things irrespective of their gender. For ages 3 to 9 years.
“Featuring a boy and girl twin, this book shares how people might prefer different things but there is no real difference between boys and girls. The open-ended questions on each page encourages children to talk about their own preferences and experiences.”
– Chelsea Lee Smith, momentsaday.com
A World of Pausabilities
by Frank J. Sileo
This book encourages children to pay attention to and respect their feelings, emotions, and thoughts. It explores conscious mindfulness and being present in the world around us. For ages 4 to 8 years.
“We live in a busy, hectic world. As adults, we have become accustomed to the pace and often do not realize how wound up we have become. Our children’s health, well-being, and happiness are suffering today due to the chaos of this pace. Remembering to pause, or even knowing what that means is so unfamiliar…until now. A World of Pausabilities cleverly introduces the possibility of what it means to stop, notice and enjoy the everyday wonder of living.”
– Allison Morgan MA, OTR, E-RYT; Director of Zensational Kids, LLC
Your Body Belongs to You
by Cornelia Spelman
This book teaches children that they have the right to decline physical contact from anyone, even those they care about, and that declining physical contact does not indicate animosity. For ages 3 to 5 years.
“In simple language, she tells young readers how they can tell—or show—someone that they don’t want to be touched, and get help from a trusted adult if the person ‘still doesn’t understand.’”
– Committee for Children