Dr. Melissa Tanner Top 5 Favorite Kiddies Stories
As a clinical psychologist working with the Kiddies professional team, I am exposed daily to stories that are moving, thoughtful, and most importantly - meaningful for the emotional and social development of young children. Among the hundreds of carefully selected stories on the platform, there are a few that touch my heart time and time again because of their message, characters, language, or simply the way they empower children from within.
Here are five of my personal favorites and the reasons I wholeheartedly recommend them:
"A Playground of World Traditions" (Luna)
This story is one of my favorites because it teaches children to celebrate diversity. Seeing Luna and friends come together through learning fun traditions from different cultures will instill a sense of appreciation for differences rather than fear.
“The Safe Street Crossing” (Kai)
I like this story because it sets a good example for how a child should react when faced with a potentially dangerous situation. It strikes the right tone by emphasizing the seriousness of the situation without causing anxiety. Kai’s problem-solving skills set a good example for young readers.
“My Hair, My Space” (Faith)
This story is one of my favorites because it teaches children that it is right and appropriate to set boundaries around their personal space. Children will learn that it’s okay to recognize and appreciate differences, but we should avoid unwanted touching or comments.
“New School, New Songs” (Mei)
I like this story because it is extremely relatable. Almost all children will experience some degree of anxiety when changing schools. This story teaches them that all schools share certain things in common. By focusing on the thing or things that they liked to do at their previous school, they are likely to find something they can use as a coping mechanism to help them navigate the transition to their new school. For Mei, this was music, but it could be arts, reading, math, outdoor play, or something else.
“Finding Peace Between the Pages” (Hailey)
This story is one of my favorites because it offers children specific strategies for coping with big or uncomfortable emotions. After reading this story, young readers can try out different approaches and figure out which one works best for them.
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There are many more Kiddies stories that offer children valuable lessons in setting boundaries, identifying emotions, coping with change, and building self-confidence. However, the stories I’ve chosen here reflect values that are especially close to my heart, and they succeed in conveying these messages to children in a gentle, engaging, and empowering way. I encourage you to read them together with your children, talk about them, and invite them to share how they feel and what they think - that is the true power of a good story.
