Support Your Child’s Emotional Health Journey
Telling is brave, and it opens the door—
By: Joy Stephenson-Laws, Holistic Coach, J.D., Founder
When Mia was five years old, her parents started reading her books about personal boundaries and body safety. One day at daycare, a caregiver touched Mia in a way she remembered learning about in her storybooks. Mia felt confused and scared at first, but thanks to the confidence she gained from those books, she knew exactly what to do.
She bravely told her mom and immediately felt relief when her mom listened and reassured her. The situation was quickly addressed, and Mia learned that speaking up can lead to safety and comfort.
Mia’s story is a powerful reminder of why reading the right books to children at a young age matters so much.
Children between the ages of 2 and 7 are at a critical stage of their development. During these years, their brains mostly work in what’s called the theta brainwave state, similar to soft clay that's easily shaped. This means they absorb new ideas quickly and deeply, which can significantly affect their emotions, beliefs, and behaviors for the rest of their lives.
Young minds are like soft clay that’s easily shaped.
What Is the Theta State?
From ages 2 to 7, children's brains naturally produce lots of theta waves. This state is similar to being in a daydream or deeply imaginative mode, making kids extremely open to learning and new experiences. While this period is excellent for positive learning, it also means negative experiences, such as abuse or neglect, can become deeply embedded in their minds. Just as positive lessons are learned quickly, harmful experiences at this age can leave lasting emotional scars.
Why This Age is So Critical
Because children’s minds are especially vulnerable during the theta state, teaching them positive coping strategies and clear boundaries at this stage forms a strong emotional foundation. This foundation helps them resist manipulation, abuse, and emotional harm throughout their lives.
An excerpt from Secrets that Sparkle (And Secrets that Sting): A Rhyming Picture Book for Ages 5+by Joy Stephenson-Laws (Author), Nzephany Madrigal Uzoka (Illustrator)
Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Health Journey
Since children are incredibly receptive during these years, the books we choose for them have a lasting impact. Books that teach children about boundaries, personal safety, and speaking up about inappropriate behaviors help protect them emotionally and physically.
How Books Help Children Manage Emotions:
1. Understanding Boundaries
Books clearly show what’s okay and what's not okay regarding touch and personal space.
Stories provide children with simple, powerful phrases they can use if they feel uncomfortable.
2. Encouraging Children to Speak Up
Books offer relatable examples of children talking about challenging situations with trusted adults.
Regular reading makes children familiar and comfortable with the idea of speaking out.
Stories provide children with simple, powerful phrases they can use if they feel uncomfortable.
3. Preventing Emotional Harm
Early lessons on personal boundaries prevent confusion, fear, and shame.
Helping children feel safe and valued early on significantly reduces potential emotional pain.
The Emotional Impact of Negative Experiences at Ages 2–7
Negative experiences during these sensitive years can cause severe, long-term emotional issues. Research shows childhood trauma can lead to:
Trouble trusting others due to early breaches of trust.
Higher likelihood of anxiety and depression stemming from unresolved trauma.
Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness rooted in early experiences of shame.
Difficulty managing emotions and stress, making relationships and everyday life challenging.
Tips for Choosing the Right Emotional Health Books
It's essential for adults to grasp these sensitive issues because children hold many secrets—some joyful, others deeply worrying. Here’s how you can support your child:
Choose age-appropriate books that clearly teach personal safety.
Regularly read these books together, reinforcing the lessons consistently.
Discuss scenarios from the books with your child, encouraging them to think critically and identify trusted adults.
Role-play scenarios to empower children to confidently handle situations in real life.
Create a calm, supportive environment where your child feels safe to express anything that feels too big or scary to carry alone.
Why I Wrote "Secrets That Sparkle (and Secrets That Sting)"
An excerpt from Secrets that Sparkle (And Secrets that Sting): A Rhyming Picture Book for Ages 5+by Joy Stephenson-Laws (Author), Nzephany Madrigal Uzoka (Illustrator)
As a parent and advocate, I wrote Secrets That Sparkle (and Secrets That Sting): A Rhyming Picture Book for Ages 5+ to help children easily distinguish between safe and unsafe secrets. My goal is to empower kids to trust their feelings, speak up courageously, and understand they are never at fault when a secret feels wrong.
Emotional Health Matters in Early Childhood
Choosing and reading the right safety-themed books to children ages 2–7 isn't just beneficial—it's essential. Take immediate action:
Educate your child on personal safety.
Reinforce emotional health and confidence.
Safeguard them from lifelong harm.
Don’t wait—start empowering your child today.
References & Further reading
Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Bremner, J. D., Walker, J. D., Whitfield, C., Perry, B. D., ... & Giles, W. H. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256(3), 174-186.
Luby, J. L., Barch, D., Whalen, D., Tillman, R., & Belden, A. (2017). Association Between Early Life Adversity and Risk of Poor Emotional Health: Longitudinal Study. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(12), 1177-1184.
Perry, B. D. (2009). Examining child maltreatment through a neurodevelopmental lens: clinical applications of the neurosequential model of therapeutics. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14(4), 240-255.
Teicher, M. H., Samson, J. A., Anderson, C. M., & Ohashi, K. (2016). The effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure, function and connectivity. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 17(10), 652-666.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books.