Book Works: Overcoming Your Inner Critic

book cover of the dot_a book on handling your inner critic

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

book cover of the zones of regulation_a book on creating an inner coach

Amazon affiliate link (opens in a new tab): https://www.amazon.com/Dot-Peter-H-Reynolds/dp/0763619612/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=The+Dots&qid=1567449219&s=books&sr=1-3 This story is a call to overcoming roadblocks and finding one’s creativity. Young children, teens, and even adults will find it relevant.A young girl thinks she’s not artistic, but her teacher advises, “Just make a mark and see where it will get you.” The girl makes a dot on a piece of paper thinking it’s just a way to show that she can’t draw. To her surprise, that dot leads to unexpected places.One of the messages of this book is that getting past our own psychological roadblocks is often what’s needed to start a task or project. Many of us struggle with an inner critic, the negative self-talk that says you’re not smart or athletic or artistic enough to accomplish what you want to do.A useful approach to overcoming one’s inner critic is to develop an inner coach by using positive self-talk. This is the voice of encouragement that tells you to keep trying, to not be demoralized by setbacks, and believe in yourself. The Zones of Regulation ® curriculum developed by Leah Kupyers includes a lesson on Inner Critic and Inner Coach, with useful tips and ways to present these ideas to your child.  Learn more about this curriculum by coming to our full-day presentation on the Zones of Regulation ® on October 5, 2019 in Walnut Creek, CA: http://www.cwtherapy.com/zones-training-2019/Article by Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP - Speech Language Pathologist & Executive Director of Communication WorksBook Works are book recommendations by Communication Works (CW) that support speech, language, social and emotional growth for children.