Books to build kids emotional skills with proprioception in mind!
One of the biggest things I’ve learned over the years is that we can’t expect kids to manage big emotions if they don’t first understand what’s happening inside their bodies.
That’s what interoception is all about—the ability to notice and make sense of our body’s signals. For many autistic children, those signals can be hard to recognize or connect to an emotion. They may know they’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or excited, but not understand why.
That’s exactly why I created these books.
Instead of focusing on “fixing” behavior, they help children build an understanding of themselves. They encourage conversations about body cues, emotions, possible triggers, communication, and supports so kids can begin to recognize what’s happening on the inside and advocate for what they need.
This video features four books from my Understanding Myself series:
💜 Why Am I Frustrated?
💜 Oh Man! I’m Frustrated
💛 Why Am I Excited?
💛 Oh Yeah! I’m Excited!
If you’ve been looking for a neuro-affirming way to support emotional awareness and interoception, these are some of my favorite resources I’ve created.
✨ They’re currently on sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Rivers of Learning! You can find the link in my Linktree.
#NeuroAffirmingEducation #Interoception #AutismAcceptance #SpecialEducation #AAC #TeachersPayTeachers #EmotionalAwareness #PresumeCompetence
From my experience working with children who struggle with emotional self-regulation, I've found that integrating knowledge about proprioception and interoception can be a game-changer. Proprioception, the sense of body awareness and position, along with interoception, the ability to detect internal bodily signals, both play crucial roles in emotional processing. The books featured here—such as 'Why Am I Frustrated?' and 'Oh Yeah! I'm Excited!'—are really effective because they do more than label emotions; they help kids tune into what their bodies are communicating. For example, when a child feels frustrated but can’t articulate it, these books encourage recognition of signs like a racing heart or muscle tension, allowing them to connect these sensations to their feelings. Practical activities included, like deep breathing or shaking exercises mentioned in the books, empower children to respond rather than react to these emotions. Using fun phrases like 'fast flap', 'jump big spin', or 'turn pink' makes the learning accessible and engaging for young minds. I’ve also observed that discussing potential triggers helps children gain control and feel safe, which is essential for neurodiverse kids who often experience sensory overload. These resources promote conversations around emotions, communication strategies, and self-advocacy in a compassionate, affirming way. Incorporating such books into daily routines—reading them during calm moments or before transitions—can build emotional resilience over time. They are a valuable addition for parents, educators, and therapists committed to providing neuro-affirming support that respects each child’s unique experience with their body and emotions.
