Finding Calm in the Chaos: A Review of Calm-Down Time / Momento para calmarse
There are days when my house feels like a bustling tornado of emotions—screaming, giggling, and the occasional toddler meltdown that could rival a hurricane. As a mom, I often scramble for solutions. Recently, I stumbled upon Calm-Down Time / Momento para calmarse (Toddler Tools® Board Books) by Free Spirit Publishing. The warm illustrations and bilingual text called out to me, promising a gentle guide just when I needed it most.
This charming little board book speaks to the everyday struggle of toddlers navigating their big feelings. From the get-go, my kids were captivated by the delightful images, colorful illustrations, and rhythmic text. The book teaches little ones simple tools to express their overwhelming emotions, encouraging them to calm down and breathe—something we all could use now and then! My three-year-old, Sofia, resonated particularly with a page describing taking deep breaths. I could see the gears turning in her mind as I explained it; her excitement was palpable.
We cuddled on the couch one evening, and I began reading. I was thrilled to see how engaged both Sofia and her younger brother, Emiliano, became. “Look at that face!” Sofia exclaimed as we flipped through the pages. The way the characters expressed various feelings sparked an organic conversation, where we discussed what makes us feel angry or sad. I shared my own moments of frustration, which surprisingly made them feel understood and encouraged them to open up.
One particularly striking illustration showed a child practicing calm down techniques against a vibrant backdrop. It led to an impromptu "breathe in, breathe out" session where we all sat together on the floor, breathing deeply and smiling, which was such a sweet moment amidst the busyness of our lives. The delightful simplicity and clarity of the text made it a great read-aloud experience—easy for young ones to follow along and understand.
As we progressed through the book, I found myself relating to the tools presented, too. It was a gentle reminder for me to practice patience and composure. Who knew a toddler book could provide therapy for parents as well? A funny moment came when Emiliano tried to mimic the breathing techniques for “calm down,” exclaiming loudly, “NOT CALM!" before bursting into giggles.
Calm-Down Time is perfect for toddlers aged 1-3 and is wonderfully bilingual, making it a great addition for homes like ours that value both Spanish and English. This book isn’t just something to read once and shelve; it’s an interactive experience that I can see us revisiting time and again as my children grow. I believe it’s especially suited for parents navigating the spicy maze of emotions with their little ones during those challenging toddler years.
In essence, this book felt like a warm hug on a frenzied day—not just for my children but for me too. It’s a must-have for any parent trying to instill emotional intelligence and communication skills. Who wouldn’t want a beacon of calm amid the storm? We’ll definitely be adding Calm-Down Time to our bedtime routine and gifting it to friends and family ready to embrace this beautiful, chaotic journey of parenthood!
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