As parents and educators, we often focus on helping young children feel happy, calm, and successful. But what about the days when they feel... sad?
Sadness is a real, valid emotion — even for toddlers.
And yet, many little ones don’t have the words (or tools) to express what’s happening inside when tears come or moods shift.
That’s exactly why I created “When I Feel Sad – A Toddler Social Story.”
🧠 Why I Made This Book
I noticed something while running my home daycare: toddlers know when they’re upset… but they often don’t know whyor what to do about it.
This story was designed as a gentle guide — not just to say “it’s okay to feel sad,” but to actually help little ones:
Recognize how sadness feels in their body
Understand where sadness might come from
Know that it happens to everyone (even grown-ups!)
Try simple, healthy ways to feel better
📘 What’s Inside
The book follows a simple storyline using toddler-friendly language and soft visuals. Some pages describe the feeling of sadness (“my body feels slow”) while others offer safe ways to cope — like hugging a toy, crying, or sitting with someone they trust.
At the end, there’s a Let’s Wonder Together page with 5 open-ended questions you can ask your child or student. These help build emotional awareness, reflection, and conversation — even for very young learners.
💡 Who It's For
This printable is designed for:
🏡 Parents who want to support emotional learning at home
🍎 Educators and ECEs looking for calm-down corner or circle time tools
🧠 Therapists or counselors introducing emotion regulation
💛 Anyone supporting a toddler or preschooler navigating big feelings
🖨️ How to Use It
Print it as a full-size book or mini booklet
Keep it in your calm-down area or reading nook
Read it together when your child is sad — or before a meltdown, to build skills proactively
You can laminate it for durability, or let your child flip through when they need some space.
🛍️ Where to Get It
You can grab your printable copy instantly on Etsy here:
👉 KidRoutinePrintables.etsy.com
🌟 Final Thought
Our goal isn’t to stop sadness — it’s to support it.
“When I Feel Sad” gives toddlers the language, visuals, and comfort they need to understand what’s going on inside — and to feel a little more in control of their world.
Because learning how to feel… is just as important as learning how to count.
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