Ibex Feels Deeply: A Lesson in Emotional Courage

Promotes: Emotional Courage Big steps of independence can mean big feelings. ＂Ibex Feels Deeply＂ gives children the courage to embrace their deep feelings and see sensitivity as a gift that should be shared, not hidden away. Sensitive Ibex is born with a big open heart and often feels the pain of the world when things go wrong. Instead of hardening his heart, Ibex learns how to access resilience and do the right thing even when it is hard to do. In contrast to the ＂tough guy＂ model, Ibex teaches that having the emotional courage to accept your feelings and the feelings of others is true strength. With Reflect & Connect questions at the end, caregivers are supported in deepening their child’s understanding of this important emotional skill.

Authors Kelly Oriard, a family therapist, and Callie Christensen, a special education teacher, are the founders of Slumberkins, an emotional learning brand on a mission to empower children to be caring, confident, and resilient through stories, affirmations, tools, and activities.