Little Bear Stays Home is a beautifully written and illustrated story that helps children understand and express their emotions and feelings during times of change, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the everyday experiences of Little Bear and his family, children can recognise common emotions like sadness, worry, boredom, anger, loneliness, and joy—and learn simple, safe ways to cope with them.
This story is especially helpful for children who need help talking about feelings, including those with autism, anxiety, or emotional regulation needs. It gently shows that it is okay to feel big emotions and reminds children that they are not alone.
What’s Included in This Emotions Story?
A relatable story about staying home – Follows Little Bear through a day of home learning, missing loved ones, sibling arguments, boredom, and positive moments too
Child-friendly explanations – Helps children understand why they cannot go to school or visit people they love during certain times
Emotional ups and downs – Shows how Little Bear moves through different feelings like excitement, frustration, sadness, and feeling calm again
Simple strategies for managing feelings – Offers ideas like drawing, taking deep breaths, writing in a diary, talking to someone, and doing calming activities
Creative ideas for emotional expression – At the end, there is a long list of practical suggestions children can try when they feel angry, sad, lonely, bored, or excited
How Can the Story Be Used?
In schools and classrooms – Read aloud to support lessons on feelings, emotional wellbeing, or big changes in routine
At home with families – A comforting way for parents to start conversations about emotions, especially during times of uncertainty or stress
In therapy or emotional support sessions – Ideal for helping children name their emotions and practise healthy coping skills
With children who have additional needs – A visual and gentle approach for children with autism, ADHD, or sensory needs
Alongside emotion check-ins or calming tools – Use it to support reflection activities, journaling, or creating a feelings toolkit
This feelings story for children helps build emotional literacy, resilience, and understanding, showing that while hard days happen, there are always ways to feel supported, loved, and safe.
