A person’s mental health is an important part of his or her overall well-being, especially for children. By addressing mental and emotional wellness early on, we can equip children with tools to manage their feelings and build resilience, setting them up for success later in life. To help with this, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kane-south, DeKalb & Kendall Counties (NAMI KDK) are planning a series of Emotions Storytimes at the Eola Road Branch and Santori Library for families with children ages 4 to 8. This series is a fantastic opportunity to bond with your child, nurture their emotional intelligence, and un-silence the conversation around mental health.
Through this series of engaging stories, interactive activities, and open discussions, children will learn valuable lessons about their feelings. “It is so important to provide these types of programs to educate our community about social emotional topics, and the younger the better!” said APLD Elementary School Services coordinator, Mariana Guerrero.
“Mental health is a conversation that needs to be a priority in our community and what better way than learning as a family.” Leading the discussion is NAMI KDK’s Spanish Program Coordinator Luisa Cicero. “Cicero has the proper tools to help children identify, understand, and release these feelings,” added Guerrero. By nurturing their emotional intelligence, we can help create a generation better equipped to handle challenges, build strong relationships, and thrive in life.
APLD is committed to supporting the emotional well-being of our entire community by cultivating welcoming spaces where people feel comfortable discussing and exploring mental health topics without judgment. This storytime series is just one of the many ways we hope to empower families. Our staff member are here to help you find age-appropriate books, websites, and resources to continue the conversation at home.
“Our collection has several books that talk about mental health and emotions, and we also have Health and Medicine databases that offer in depth information about mental health topics,” added Guerrero. Library staff members have connections to community resources, such as NAMI KDK, that offer free programs, support groups, and educational materials for anyone struggling with mental health challenges. By working together as a community, we can create a future where everyone feels empowered to navigate their emotions and reach their full potential.
Our Emotions Storytimes will be held at the Eola Road Branch Monday, July 22 and Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m., and at the Santori Library Saturday, Aug. 3 and Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and to learn more about the National Alliance for Mental Illness and their services, please visit https://www.namikdk.org. For more information on Library programs and services, please visit our website www.aurorapubliclibrary.org or contact the Library at 630-264-4117.
In today’s world, mental health is no longer a topic to be whispered. By prioritizing mental health from a young age, we plant the seeds of emotional intelligence in our children now and watch them grow healthier and stronger in the future.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.