10+ Best Behavior Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to guide your little one's behavior? Discovering the right resources can be a game-changer, and that's where behavior books for 4-year-olds come into play. These books are crafted to help you and your child navigate through the exciting and sometimes challenging world of preschool behavior. Keep reading to explore our curated lists of behavior books for 4-year-olds that are not only educational but also fun for your child to engage with!

Fun Behavior Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi Ph.D., illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This colorful book teaches young children that hands are not for hitting by suggesting positive and fun uses for their hands instead.
  • Why we recommend this book: It effectively communicates the importance of using hands for helping, not hurting, encouraging positive behavior through engaging illustrations and simple language.
  • Perfect for: Young children learning about self-control and appropriate ways to express feelings.

• Listening Time by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book is part of the "Toddler Tools" series and teaches kids about the importance of listening. It shows them how to focus their attention, with simple phrases and illustrations that capture the everyday situations they find themselves in.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes good listening habits in a very gentle and approachable way, which is crucial for children at this developmental stage.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are developing their social and communication skills.

• Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers toddlers simple tools to calm down in stressful situations with soothing words and warm illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides practical strategies for managing emotions, which is a critical skill for preschoolers to learn.
  • Perfect for: Children who experience frequent tantrums or who are learning emotional regulation.

• Voices Are Not for Yelling by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book teaches children how to use their voices to speak in a kind and effective way, rather than yelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand the impact of their voice and promotes the use of polite communication.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers learning about volume control and respectful communication.

• Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Part of the "Toddler Tools" series, this book encourages toddlers to share with others, using simple language and relatable scenarios.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses the sometimes challenging concept of sharing in a way that is easy for young children to understand and apply.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are starting to interact more with peers and need to understand the importance of sharing.

Educational Behavior Books for 4-Year-Olds

• My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook, illustrated by Carrie Hartman
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This engaging book follows Louis, a boy whose words seem to erupt out of him like a volcano. Throughout the story, Louis learns the value of listening and waiting his turn to speak.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-control, patience, respect for others' speaking time
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively addresses the common childhood issue of interrupting and provides practical tips for managing impulsive speaking.
  • Perfect for: Energetic children who struggle with waiting their turn in conversations.

• Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones, illustrated by Richard Watson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Lacey Walker loves to talk, but when she loses her voice, she discovers all the benefits of listening and the importance of not always filling the silence.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Listening skills, appreciation of silence, social interactions
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the value of listening to others through a fun and relatable story, highlighting the balance between speaking and listening.
  • Perfect for: Talkative children and those learning the importance of being good listeners.

• Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners, illustrated by Meredith Johnson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book helps children understand their feelings of anger and provides strategies to express anger in healthy, non-disruptive ways.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers clear, practical advice and coping mechanisms for dealing with anger, a crucial skill for young children.
  • Perfect for: Children who need help managing strong emotions and learning to express them constructively.

• What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick, illustrated by Colleen Madden
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: Through a series of scenarios, this book explores the consequences of thoughtless behavior and emphasizes the importance of considering others.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social responsibility, understanding consequences, community awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It effectively illustrates the impact of our actions on others and the environment in a way that is easy for young children to understand.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about personal responsibility and the effects of their actions in a larger context.

• The Way I Act by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Janan Cain
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores a range of behaviors and attitudes, from being considerate and curious to being brave and patient, helping children understand how their actions reflect who they are.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-awareness, character development, behavioral choices
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to reflect on their own behavior and to make positive choices.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to understand the link between actions and self-identity.

Challenging Behavior Books for 4-Year-Olds

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Themes
  • Synopsis: When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are quick to offer advice, but it's the rabbit who stays quietly with Taylor and listens, which is just what Taylor needs.
  • Why this book is challenging: This story tackles complex emotional responses and the importance of empathy and listening, which are advanced concepts for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle, thoughtful approach to dealing with emotions and teaches the power of simply being there for someone, rather than offering quick fixes.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning how to cope with emotions and those who need to understand the importance of empathy.

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Jim Panzee wakes up in a bad mood one day and despite his friends' advice to smile and cheer up, he learns that it's okay to feel grumpy sometimes.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to the concept that it's acceptable to experience and express negative emotions, a nuanced topic for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book validates children's feelings and reassures them that bad days are part of life, promoting emotional health.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with their own complex emotions and learning that it's okay not to be happy all the time.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Psychological
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors to illustrate different feelings, helping the Color Monster sort out his confusing emotions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses the abstract concept of color symbolism to explore emotions, which requires children to make connections between colors and feelings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children visually categorize and understand their own emotions, which is crucial for emotional intelligence.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to identify and articulate their feelings.

• Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Little Monkey has a big tantrum, but he learns ways to calm down, like taking deep breaths, singing a quiet song, and cuddling his blanket.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces self-soothing techniques that require understanding and applying self-regulation strategies, advanced for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical solutions for dealing with anger and frustration, teaching young readers how to manage their emotions.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who experience intense emotions and need strategies to calm themselves.

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Through a series of metaphors, the book explores a wide range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, bravery to fear, helping children understand and express what they feel.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of metaphor to explain feelings introduces abstract thinking, which is complex for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages emotional exploration and self-expression in a creative and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to articulate and navigate their emotions.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring behavior books for your 4-year-old, you're already on a fantastic path towards nurturing a young reader. To make the most out of your reading sessions, here are some exercises that can help your child develop good reading habits early on. These activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and super beneficial for little ones!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read with your child.
  • How it helps: Builds a routine and fosters a love for reading.
  • Tips: Let your child pick the book to increase their interest.

• Discuss the Story
  • What it is: Talk about the story's events and characters after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and memory retention.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful responses.

• Act Out Scenes
  • What it is: Reenact parts of the book with your child.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and boosts understanding.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more fun and engagement.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in your home as a reading area.
  • How it helps: Provides a comfortable and inviting space dedicated to reading.
  • Tips: Allow your child to help set up and decorate the space.

• Book-Based Crafts
  • What it is: Create crafts related to the theme or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Extends learning beyond the pages and sparks creativity.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials handy and simple to use.

• Picture Walk
  • What it in: Flip through the book, looking at and discussing the pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and sets the stage for understanding the story.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to tell what they think is happening in each picture.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you're not just reading books; you're enhancing your child's cognitive development and making reading a delightful habit. Have fun exploring stories and watch as your little one grows into a budding reader!