Little pig is sad, he misses attention
Basic emotions: SADNESS
| Author | Tatjana Gjurković, Tea Knežević |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jelena Brezovec |
| Original Title | Praščić je tužan jer mu nedostaje pažnje |
| ISBN | 978-953-8008-76-4 |
| Format | softcover |
| Pages | 24 |
| Size | 22x22 cm |
| Age range | Early learning (2 – 6), Beginning readers (5 – 7) |
| Category | Sadness |
|---|---|
| Tag | Basic emotions: SADNESS |
WRITTEN BY EXPERTS IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY
Mum told little pig and his little brother to put away their toys and come to dinner. They were each supposed to clean half of the room, but big brother saw a train and started playing again. In the meantime, his little brother cleaned up his part of the room. When they saw the situation, parents praised him and got angry at the older piglet. Older brother started to cry and said: “You only love him! “. Although he seemed jealous of his little brother, he was actually sad because he didn’t get any praise or attention. When mum realized this, she hugged him, comforted him, and assured him that they love him very much and this would never change.
Child’s language for expressing emotions is not words but is rather nonverbal and most often expressed through the child’s play and behaviour. Likewise, a child often behaves in one way, for example, shows jealously and stubbornness, but behind this behaviour is completely different emotion of sadness.
Sadness is one of the so-called basic emotions. They appear in all cultures and from the earliest age. By the end of the 6th month of life, a child expresses all four basic emotions (anger, fear, happiness, sadness).
The most important thing in life for a child is to see a positive reflection of their value in the words and behaviour of their parents, to receive parental attention, time and fulfilment of needs. However, as children grow up, parents also have certain expectations of them, teaching children responsibility and acceptable behaviours which are rewarded with praise and attention. Likewise, unacceptable behaviours and irresponsibility are often punished by withholding attention, praise or rewards. It’s precisely this deprivation that causes sadness in the child, that is, a feeling of rejection and non-acceptance. If there are more than one child in the family, an individual child will often complain that the attention he should have received is going to one of his siblings, so at first glance this may seem like jealousy of siblings.
At the end of the picture book, there are advice for adults that will help you understand your child’s emotional needs so you can provide help and comfort.
Author: Tatjana Gjurković
Tatjana Gjurković has a master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT), Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), Teacher and Supervisor of Transactional Analysis (TSTA). She works individually with children and adults and holds educational programs for specialists in fields of child play therapy and transaction analysis. She is author of a book “Play Therapy with children” and 28 therapeutic picture books. She continuously promotes the importance of mental health in children and adults through Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tea Knežević.
Author: Tea Knežević
Tea Knežević has master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT) and Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA). She provides play therapy with children, psychotherapy with adults, parent consultations, and conducts numerous training courses for professionals in Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tatjana Gjurković. She has written 28 picture books with therapeutic stories for children. In addition, she is the author of several manuals related to psychological resilience, gifted children, and anger management.
Illustrator: Jelena Brezovec
Jelena Brezovec has a master’s degree in social studies. For a long time, drawing was just a hobby, until 2008 when she became a co-founder of the publishing house Evenio and decided to study digital illustration, with the focus on children’s illustration. So far, she has illustrated more than 40 picture books and many other publications. She is the winner of the Grigor Vitez “Bird” Award, a special praise from the children’s jury. She has illustrated the most popular children’s book series in Croatia – Mrljek & Prljek. Her illustrations have been part of many exhibitions throughout Croatia. She lives and works in Varaždin, Croatia.
