Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > 'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

NPR's Book of the Day explores how body image concerns affect children from an early age, drawing from research showing that children as young as three can develop these issues. The discussion features insights from author Susan Verde and Whitney Casares on how parents' attitudes and media exposure shape children's relationships with their bodies, with studies indicating that many parents unknowingly contribute to these concerns through their own body-related comments.

The episode examines various resources and strategies designed to help children develop healthy body image. Verde and Casares share their approaches through their respective works, "Body Beautiful" and "My One-of-a-Kind Body," which focus on body diversity and appreciation. They also discuss practical tools for helping children process body-related messages from media and develop self-compassion.

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'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 16, 2026 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day

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'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

1-Page Summary

Body Image Issues in Children: Prevalence and Impacts

Recent research shows that body image concerns are affecting children at increasingly younger ages, with studies indicating that children as young as three years old can develop these issues. Author and former elementary school teacher Susan Verde has observed these early manifestations of body image concerns firsthand in young students.

Parents and Media Shaping Children's Body Image

Research reveals that parents significantly influence their children's body image, with 76% of parents speaking negatively about their own bodies in front of their children, and 43% making negative comments about their children's bodies. Whitney Casares shares her personal experience of trying to foster a positive body image in her daughter, highlighting the challenge of providing proactive guidance.

The media landscape presents another significant challenge. Robin Young points out that children face constant exposure to unrealistic images through social media and movies. Whitney Casares elaborates on this, citing examples like AI-generated models in Vogue and TikTok 'glow-up' trends that reinforce unrealistic beauty standards.

Tools and Strategies to Aid Children's Body Image Development

Experts are developing various resources to help children develop healthy body image. Whitney Casares created a workbook titled "My One-of-a-Kind Body," while Susan Verde authored "Body Beautiful," a picture book that helps children appreciate their bodies' functional aspects. Both works emphasize body diversity and inclusion.

Casares advocates teaching children to be "screens, not sponges" when encountering body-related messages, encouraging critical thinking rather than passive absorption of harmful content. She recommends providing children with "body literacy" tools and a "feelings tool belt" to manage emotions and build self-compassion. The experts suggest using positive affirmations and body-love words to help children counter negative messaging and build confidence.

1-Page Summary

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Actionables

  • Create a family "body-positive jar" where each member, including children, can write down something they appreciate about their bodies or someone else's, focusing on functionality and diversity. At the end of the week, read the notes together to celebrate and reinforce positive body image.
  • Develop a "media critique night" where you watch a movie or scroll through social media with your children and discuss the portrayal of body images, teaching them to question and analyze what they see rather than accepting it at face value.
  • Start a "body gratitude" routine with your children by incorporating daily affirmations related to body functionality and self-compassion into your morning or bedtime rituals, such as saying, "I am thankful for my strong legs that let me run and play."

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'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

Body Image Issues in Children: Prevalence and Impacts

Recent research reveals that body image concerns are prevalent among very young children, and these worries are significantly influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of parents.

Young Children, Even At Age 3, Can Develop Body Image Concerns and Negative Self-Talk

Studies indicate that children as young as three years old can experience body image concerns. Author Susan Verde, who has experience as an elementary school teacher, noticed that judgments about body image began to form at a very early age. A report from a recent study supports this observation, revealing that children as young as three have expressed issues with body confidence.

Children May Be Dissatisfied With Their Appearance Even at an Early Age

The prevalence of dissatisfaction with personal appearance is not limited to adolescents or adults; it is manifesting in very young children, sometimes just starting their educational journeys.

Parents' Body Image Issues Affect Children's Self-Perception

A crucial component influencing children's self-percept ...

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Body Image Issues in Children: Prevalence and Impacts

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While the research suggests that children can develop body image concerns at a young age, it is also possible that what is interpreted as body dissatisfaction could be a normal part of child development as they learn to understand and describe their bodies.
  • The influence of parents on children's body image, while significant, is not the only factor; peers, media, and societal standards also play a crucial role, and focusing solely on parental influence might oversimplify the issue.
  • The statistics regarding parents speaking negatively about their own or their children's bodies might not account for the context in which these comments are made, and whether they are part of a broader pattern or occasional lapses.
  • The idea that children mirror negative body attitudes from adults does not consider the resilience and individual differences among children; some may be more influenced by their parents' attitudes than others.
  • The prevalence of body image issues in young children might be influenced by cultural factors, and the findings may not be universally applicable across differen ...

Actionables

  • Create a "positive body talk" jar where you write down and collect affirmations or neutral statements about the body to read aloud with your children. This can help shift the focus from appearance to body functionality and appreciation. For example, you might write "My arms are strong and let me hug you tight" or "Our bodies help us play and learn every day."
  • Start a family art project that celebrates diversity in body shapes and sizes, using diverse dolls, action figures, or drawing diverse characters together. This activity can open up conversations about body positivity and the normalcy of different body types, reinforcing a more inclusive perspective on body image.
  • Implement a "compliment replacement" practice where, if you catch yourself or y ...

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'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

Parents and Media Shaping Children's Body Image

Whitney Casares, Susan Verde, and Robin Young discuss the dual influences that parents and the media have on children's body image, highlighting the importance of promoting a positive self-image in children from an early age.

Parents Influence Positive Body Image In Children

Whitney Casares talks about her personal challenges in fostering a positive body image in her daughter. Although she tried not to body shame herself in front of her child, she recognized that her daughter needed more proactive guidance in developing a positive body image. Casares understands the importance of parents in shaping their children's perceptions and attitudes towards their bodies.

Parents Avoid Criticizing Child's Body but Engage In Negative Self-Talk

Susan Verde shares a poignant example involving her own children, ages six and seven, who along with their friends, began expressing body image concerns while discussing wearing swimsuits for swimming. Verde's anecdote reveals that body image issues can start affecting children at very young ages. The example demonstrates the nuanced role parents play in cultivating a healthy body image—it's not only about avoiding direct criticism of the child's body but also being cognizant of how parents' attitudes towards their own bodies can indirectly influence their children.

Media and Social Media Inundate Children With Unrealistic Images, Fueling Body Image Issues

Robin Young points out that children are bombarded with unrealistic images from social media and movies, which can lead to issues with body confidence. This external pressure from the media landscape is a formidable force in the development of ...

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Parents and Media Shaping Children's Body Image

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Counterarguments

  • While parents are influential, children's body image is also shaped by a wider social context, including peers, educators, and extended family members.
  • Positive self-image promotion should be balanced with teaching children about health and wellness, which includes understanding and caring for their bodies.
  • Some argue that it's natural for parents to have concerns about their own appearance, and that honest conversations about self-image, including insecurities, can be beneficial for children when handled appropriately.
  • It's important to recognize that body image concerns are not solely the result of parental influence but can also stem from a child's temperament, personality, and individual experiences.
  • Media literacy education can empower children to critically analyze media messages and images, which may be a more effective approach than shielding them from media influences.
  • The impact of media on body image can be mitigated by exposing children to diverse representations of body types and encouraging them to value people for their abilities and character rather than their appearance.
  • Some argue that the media also offers positive role models and messages that can enhance children's body image when selected thoughtfully.
  • The concept of beauty standards is culturally and historically variable, and engaging c ...

Actionables

  • Create a "Body Positivity Jar" where you and your children can write down positive affirmations about yourselves and each other, then read them aloud together weekly. This activity reinforces positive self-talk and helps counteract the negative messages from media and social media. For example, you might write, "I love how strong my legs are," or "You have the kindest eyes."
  • Develop a family media literacy night where you watch a movie or scroll through social media together, then discuss the portrayal of body image and the difference between media representations and real-life diversity. This encourages critical thinking and helps children understand the constructed nature of media images. You could, for instance, talk about how movie characters often have a team of professionals to make them look a certain way, which isn't reflective of most people's daily lives.
  • Start a creative project with your children ...

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'Body Beautiful' and 'My One-of-a-Kind Body' aim to cultivate kids’ body positivity

Tools and Strategies to Aid Children's Body Image Development

In the growing awareness of body image and its effects on children, experts are advocating for various tools and strategies to nurture a positive body image from a young age.

Gently and Non-judgmentally Teaching Body Image Through Stories and Activities

Whitney Casares created a workbook for children titled "My One-of-a-Kind Body" with reflective worksheets aimed at nurturing positive body image. Similarly, Susan Verde wrote the picture book "Body Beautiful" to introduce body appreciation to children, highlighting the amazing functions of the body, such as grasping and healing. Verde employs storytelling to teach body image in a non-judgmental way, countering negative messaging by helping children appreciate the functional aspects of their bodies. Casares ensures diversity in body types and abilities is reflected in her book to create a more inclusive environment for body image development.

Books Highlighting Diverse and Unique Bodies Can Help Counter Negative Messaging

The books discussed by Verde and Casares offer children the opportunity to see others like themselves, promoting body diversity and uniqueness through relatable content and empowering messages. Casares specifically designed activities such as identifying body bullies and tracking energy changes to develop critical thinking in children about the messages they receive regarding their bodies.

Empowering Children As "Screens, Not Sponges" to Develop Critical Thinking Against Harmful Messaging

Casares discusses the importance of teaching children to be "screens, not sponges" meaning to critically analyze rather than passively absorb harmful messages. She references trends such as boys researching carb cutting and protein counting, showing the need for children to discern healthy information from damaging advice. Her goal is to provide children with body literacy, understandi ...

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Tools and Strategies to Aid Children's Body Image Development

Additional Materials

Actionables

- Create a body gratitude journal where each day you write down one thing your body helped you accomplish, like walking to the store or hugging a friend, to foster appreciation for your body's capabilities.

  • Keeping a journal dedicated to acknowledging the functional aspects of your body can shift focus from appearance to appreciation of what your body can do. For example, after a dance class, you might note how your legs allowed you to express yourself through movement, reinforcing a positive connection with your body.
  • Develop a personal "body ally" pledge where you commit to standing up for yourself and others in situations where body shaming occurs, whether in person or online.
  • Crafting a pledge can be a powerful reminder to act with intention when confronting body negativity. This might involve intervening when someone makes a harmful comment about another's appearance or choosing not to share or like body-negative content on social media, thereby promoting a culture of body positivity.
  • Start a "media mindfulness" habit by spending a few minutes e ...

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