Kahlila Robinson
Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gerstenzang are the authors of the new book The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5 to 8: A Parent-Child Resource for Engaging in Healthy Coping Skills and Building Connection. Robinson is a psychologist and Gerstenzang is a social worker.
Q: What inspired you to write The Self-Regulation Workbook?
SG: It was actually our publisher's idea (Ulysses Press) but
the content is something we think about everyday as parents and therapists!
KR: The inspiration for this book came from the experience of being a child and family therapist and a parent, and the desire to create a comprehensive resource for parents and kids on how to self-regulate and how to connect.
Both Sarah and I longed for a practical guide that parents could easily engage with and apply, so we decided to create one ourselves! We wanted to combine the concepts, strategies and tools that we have found most effective as child and family therapists and that have supported our own families.
 |
| Sarah Gerstenzang |
Q: Why did you focus on ages 5 through 8? What differentiates this age group from older or younger kids?
SG: There seemed to be a need for support for these children and their parents. Children ages 5 to 8 are both capable of beginning to manage their own emotions (much more so than younger children) and yet, they still need more support from their parents than tweens and teens.
It was a fun challenge to create a workbook that celebrates this dance between parents and children.
KR: Agree with all of the above! It's a challenging stage for parents where
they have to learn when and how to lean in with supporting kids and lean out to
help them develop emotional resilience!
Q: How did the two of you collaborate on the book?
SG: We agreed on the general content and structure and then Kahlila took the
lead with the writing with Sarah filling in and making suggestions.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: We hope parents learn simple concepts that make them feel more confident as parents and closer to their children. We hope children feel empowered to manage their emotions and make choices.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: We have been doing a lot of podcasts and Kahlila has been on TV - all to promote the workbook. Sarah is considering writing a book about complex developmental trauma.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: This book is full of insights and practical tools for parents and kids, and it is also fun! It includes some fabulous anecdotes from real kids, ages 5-8, on how they self-regulate.
It is a unique book in that there is a section just for parents, one for parents and kids to use together, and one section that is just for kids.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
No comments:
Post a Comment