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Story Stretchers

​Story Stretchers
are book extension activities
designed to help children
connect more deeply with
the stories they read. 
​Parents use guided questions to help their child focus on the social and emotional elements of the narrative—building empathy, self-awareness, and meaningful conversation.
To support emotional regulation
and body awareness, Story Stretchers
also incorporate mindful movement
exercises that help children recognize
and respond to the feelings that
may arise in their bodies. 
Tia Book - Final Illustrations (28)
Tia Book - Final Illustrations (26)
Day in Park
Tia Book - Final Illustrations (25)
Learning Kid
Tia Book - Final Illustrations (27)
Image by Chidy Young
Reading Time

Start the Conversation
 

Select 2 to 4 guided questions below to spark meaningful conversations with your child before, during,
or after reading. 
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​
 Self-Awareness
  • What feelings did the main character have in the story? Have you ever felt that way?
  • What helped the character understand their own feelings better?
  • If you were in the story, what part would make you feel proud or brave?
  • What do you think the character learned about themselves?
  • Can you think of a time when you felt the same way as someone in the book?
​
Empathy & Perspective-Taking
  • How do you think the other characters felt during the story?
  • What would you say to the character to help them feel better?
  • Why do you think the character acted that way? What might they be feeling inside?
  • If you were in the story, how would you help someone who was feeling sad or left out?
  • What do you think the character needed most from others?
​
Self-Management
  • What did the character do when they felt upset or frustrated?
  • Did the character make a good choice? What could they have done differently?
  • What helps you calm down when you feel big feelings like anger or worry?
  • Can you show me a movement or stretch that matches how the character felt?
  • What could the character do next time to stay calm or solve a problem?
​
Relationship Skills
  • How did the characters treat each other? Was it kind or unkind?
  • What makes a good friend in this story?
  • Did anyone in the story help someone else? How?
  • What would you do if you saw someone feeling left out like a character in the book?
  • How can we show kindness like the characters did?
​
Decision-Making
  • What choices did the character make? Were they helpful or hurtful?
  • What happened because of the character’s decision?
  • What would you do if you were in the same situation?
  • What did the character learn from his or her mistake?
  • Can you think of another way the character could solve a problem in the story?
​
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Understanding these key terms can help you support your child’s emotional growth and learning.

SEL Vocabulary
 

Core SEL Terms:
 

  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL): The process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

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  • Self-Awareness: Recognizing your own emotions, thoughts, and values—and how they influence behavior.

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  • Self-Regulation (or Self-Management) Managing emotions, behaviors, and impulses in healthy ways—like calming down after frustration or staying focused on a task.

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  • Social Awareness: Understanding others’ feelings and perspectives, and showing empathy and respect.

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  • Relationship Skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships through communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

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  • Responsible Decision: Making thoughtful choices based on safety, ethics, and social norms.

 
Mindfulness & Emotions:
 

  • Mindful Movement: Gentle physical activities that help children calm their bodies and minds.

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  • Emotion Regulation: The ability to manage big feelings like anger, sadness, or excitement in a constructive way.

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  • Empathy: Feeling or understanding what someone else is going through—and responding with care.

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  • Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges or setbacks with strength and optimism.

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  • Triggers: Situations or experiences that cause strong emotional reactions—knowing them helps kids prepare and respond better.

 
Learning & Growth:
 

  • Growth Mindset: Believing that abilities and intelligence can grow with effort and practice.

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  • Zones of Regulation: A framework that helps kids identify how they’re feeling (e.g., calm, frustrated, silly) and choose strategies to get back to a balanced state.

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  • Calming Strategies: Tools like deep breathing, counting, or movement that help kids settle their emotions.

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  • Check-In: A simple way to ask how your child is feeling—building emotional vocabulary and trust.

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