Big Brother: A Mindful How-To Guide for Toddlers and Kids - Paperback

by Andrea M. Dorn (Author)

Follow our big brother character, who just happens to have the same name as your child, (no need to personalize, see how in the book!) through a step-by-step guide on what happens as you become a big brother. Written with child psychology in mind, this simple, yet very intentionally written children's big brother book, focuses on developing independence and mindfulness. It introduces becoming a big brother to young children by using first-person, mantra-like narrative to build body awareness, emotion awareness, and process awareness. Included in this book are optional engagement questions on many pages to connect with your child and help them become more mindful at each step. Also included, are short caregiver and child meditations, tips on how to help your child process this change, and suggestions on how to best utilize this book. Visit andreadorn.com for more information!

** From the Author: Big transitions (like becoming a big brother!) can be a fun, but confusing (and sometimes scary!) time for kids and parents alike. Children's developing brains (and really, human brains of all ages) benefit greatly from clear and consistent expectations and directions, and books can be a helpful tool to communicate messages that stick. The Mindful Steps book series is designed to help toddlers and children process new skills and big changes. This book and series incorporates aspects of mindfulness and intentionally uses first-person narrative to describe simple, concrete, and repetitive steps to help children to be mindful of not only WHAT to do, but HOW to do the tasks they may encounter while learning how to become a big brother. Over time, this process helps kids to become more independent and successful at connecting dots that can be difficult to connect. This book can be read well before the baby comes and up to 2 years after the baby is born as a way to successfully process this transition! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Andrea Dorn, MSW, is a mom and licensed clinical social worker (LISW-CP) whose interest in mindfulness and behavioral and attachment theories began in graduate school. Since that time, Andrea has worked to incorporate the benefits of mindfulness into every aspect of her life and frequently uses behavioral and attachment theories to guide her clinical practice. She has found these theories, especially mindfulness, to be truly effective in transforming lives. She has also found clear, consistent, and attachment-based behavioral modification techniques to be crucial to developing healthy and thriving young minds. ​The Mindful Steps series was inspired after a year of major transitions in Andrea's life with two young children in tow. Andrea found there was a lack of non-fiction, single-step resources for helping her own strong-willed child navigate and know what to expect during these big changes. In order to fill this gap, she became interested in writing children's books and has discovered a true passion for the entire writing and publishing process. What does all of this mean for you? It means all of Andrea's work and writing is guided by not only her clinical and mindfulness background, but also the care she takes in parenting with positivity, intentionality, and connection. She is dedicated to helping young minds learn techniques for calming their bodies, and processing changes. ​ Andrea currently works in South Carolina as a psychotherapist with children and adults of all ages. In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family (husband, two amazing kiddos, and dog), traveling, writing, dancing, and making meaningful connections with others.