Recently, a social worker who works with many Vietnamese families asked me a list of good books for families to support social and emotional learning in children in their home language.
I hope by sharing this list, many more families will benefit from our resources. Learning a home language isn't always as simple as reading a book to your child every night. It's also navigating challenge situations that often come up in real life, needing real solutions.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF ADULTS
Author: Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson
When facing contentious issues such as screen time, food choices, and bedtime, children often act out or shut down, responding with reactivity instead of receptivity. But our kids can be taught to approach life with openness and curiosity. When kids work from a Yes Brain, they’re more willing to take chances and explore. They’re more curious and imaginative. They’re better at relationships and handling adversity. In The Yes Brain, the authors give parents skills, scripts, and activities to bring kids of all ages into the beneficial “yes” state.
3. Learn the Montessori Method to Implement at Home with your Kid(s)
Vietnamese translation of Montessori education book series by authors Ève Herrmann and Marie-Hélène Place.
- 100 Hoạt Động Montessori: Cha Mẹ Nên Chuẩn Bị Cho Trẻ Tập Đọc Và Viết Như Thế Nào? | 100 Montessori Activities: How to Prepare Your Child for Reading and Writing
- 100 Hoạt Động Montessori: Con Không Cần iPad Để Lớn Khôn | 100 Montessori Activities: My Child Doesn’t Need an iPad to Grow Up
- 100 Hoạt Động Montessori: Con Không Muốn Làm Cây Trong Lồng Kính | 100 Montessori Activities: My Child Doesn’t Want to Be a Plant in a Greenhouse
- 60 Hoạt Động Montessori Giúp Trẻ Trưởng Thành: Chờ Con Lớn Thì Đã Muộn | 60 Montessori Activities to Help Children Grow: Waiting Until They’re Older Is Too Late
CHILREN'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
GẤU ƠI, CON LO LẮNG ĐẾN CHỪNG NÀO? Translation of "How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear? A Book to Help Children Manage and Overcome Anxiety, Anxious Thoughts, Stress and Fearful Situations"
CHÚNG MÌNH TÔN TRỌNG CƠ THỂ VÀ CẢM XÚC CỦA NHAU Translation of "Let's Talk about Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect: Teach Children about Body Ownership, Respect, Feelings, Choices and Recognizing Bullying Behaviors"
CẢM XÚC CỦA CON MÀU GÌ? Translation of "Talking about Feelings: A Book to Assist Adults in Helping Children Unpack, Understand and Manage Their Feelings and Emotions"
CON ĐƯỢC LÀ CHÍNH MÌNH! Translation of "Who Am I? I Am Me! A Book to Explore Gender Equality, Gender Stereotyping, Acceptance and Diversity"
CON KIÊN TRÌ, CON KHÔNG BỎ CUỘC Translation of "Resilience: A Book to Encourage Resilience, Persistence and to Help Children Bounce Back from Challenges and Adversity"
SỰ TỬ TẾ ĐẸP NHƯ BÔNG HOA Translation of "You, Me and Empathy: Teaching Children about Empathy, Feelings, Kindness, Compassion, Tolerance and Recognizing Bullying Behaviors"
2. Không Sao Đâu Con! Combo 12 Cuốn It’s Okay, My Child! — 12-Book Collection
A meaningful modern children’s series that helps young readers navigate 12 common challenges they may encounter at home, at school, and in everyday life.
Through simple, relatable situations, the books encourage children to understand that making mistakes, losing, being corrected, feeling shy, receiving rejection, or struggling with something doesn’t mean they have failed. Instead, these experiences are opportunities to learn, grow, and become more resilient.
The collection covers topics including:
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Being willing to be less capable than others sometimes
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Learning to accept reminders and constructive feedback
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What to do when you receive a bad grade
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How to handle rejection
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Facing and learning from mistakes
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Understanding shyness and cautiousness
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Learning that losing is okay
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Dealing with teasing and ridicule
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Learning appropriate communication and manners
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Learning how to fit in and connect with others
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Facing and responding to bullying
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Learning how to overcome difficulties
Each book ends with a “Wisdom Map” to help children review and reinforce the key lessons from the story.
Recommended for ages 3+, the collection is particularly useful for parents looking to build children's resilience, emotional awareness, confidence, social skills, and growth mindset through everyday situations.
For additional recommendations beyond social and emotional support, please refer to my blogs: