Customer Reviews

Words Are Not for Hurting (Ages 4-7) (Best Behavior Series)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Written by parenting columnist Elizabeth Verdick with an age-appropriate vocabulary, and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen, Words Are Not For Hurting was designed especially for children ages 4 to 7, a time of growing vocabularies and increasing social interaction with peers and others. The simple, positive message is think before speaking, and choosing not only what to say but how to say it. Young readers will also learn of the power in saying "I'm sorry" when the speak words that hurt the feelings of others. Enhanced with a special section at the end that includes activities and discussion starters, Words Are Not For Hurting is confidently recommended for home, school, and childcare center early childhood library resources and character education reading lists.

This is an excellent book using age appropriate language to send out the message of just how hurtful and harmful words can be. We all know the doggerel bravado verse of sticks and stones is just a crock. I never bought it because words are infinitely more painful than any stick or stone. I think that deceptive verse should be changed to:

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words hurt so much more.

Words have the power to hurt or build esteem; to reinforce one's self image and to cause one to feel they are liked or disliked. I think this is an excellent book with a message that cannot be stressed enough. The activities and teaching how to give sincere apologies as opposed to those to appease the adult in question with the idea of deflecting further punishment is also an invaluable lesson. I also like the way the message of harmful words are not limited to peers. It is a good wake up call to how adults in general talk to children and to one another. This book deserves a place of honor!

My son is three and a half and goes to daycare. He's exactly at the age where he's picking up a lot vocabulary (not all desirable) from school and friends which he's using to express his anger or frustration. I thought it was a good book to help him understand the power of words and how he can use positive words instead of negative ones...even to express his negative emotions. It's slow going but the book helped me with ideas and with words to coach him.

This book does a great job reinforcing how powerful words are. The book sends out a great message in a child centered and creative way.

My son has had some anger issues, so I ordered all the books in this series. He loves them! He asks to read them all the time, and they even seem to be helping a little, too. This particular book also includes many helpful ideas for dealing with anger and temper tantrums. I'll take any help I can get!

This book is a good reminder for both parents and children to watch what they say. I really enjoyed its message and the story, as did my child.

My son loves this book! I can't wait to buy the other books in the series.

I purchased this book, among others, because I was told that my 4 year old son was teasing at preschool. Not only is the book excellent, but simply saying the title when I feel my son is acting unkind often snaps him out of it. I often use the other titles in the series the same way. ("Jimmy, hands are not for hitting", "Feet are not for kicking", etc.)and even though we haven't read the other books, it has the same effect...he seems to snap out of it and apologizes.

I highly recommend!

This book really helped me teach my kids how words can affect others. They are 6 years old and they gained a good understanding about how their words not only can hurt each other but also their friends. They were also able to tell me how when I get angry I make them feel. I would recommend this book.

Most of us have heard the old saying... sticks and stones may break my bones but your words can never hurt me, yet we have all been hurt by the unkind words of others. I use this book as an elementary level teaching tool to help children understand that words can hurt feelings and so they must choose thier words carefully. The book is wonderfully illustrated and is a good companion with the book, "Hands are not for Hitting,"

A book that needs to be in the hands of every parent. I am raising two of my grandchildren. Needless to say, they are hurting, and have used words to hurt one another, and others. This book was a God send. I highly recommend it!
A great aid for teachers too!