Waiting to learn about learning to wait.

March 21, 2010 11:18 AM

Can anyone recommend a good book for teaching children about the virtue of patience?

A picture book would be preferred but a simple chapter book would work too. The target child is 4.

Thanks!

posted by Toekneesan to Human Relations (6 answers total)

I don't have a book recommendation, but the lesson in patience I remember most from when I was 6 or 7 was growing a stalk of corn for school in my mom's garden. It is multiple kinds of lesson squooshed into one if you have somewhere you can grow something familiar he or she can eventually eat. Shows them that good things require time to happen, require work and attention, that there's a payoff, etc. It won't turn him or her into a suddenly patient child, but it will... plant a seed!
posted by Askr at 11:31 AM on March 21, 2010

I was always crazy about the Berenstain Bears. They have a lot of lessons about different aspects of patience and self-regulation and delaying gratification. Plus, they're cute story books with great illustrations. Maybe one of them is close to the primary lesson you want to teach:

Saving up money

Not being greedy or demanding

Completing homework

Avoiding sweets
posted by parkerjackson at 11:44 AM on March 21, 2010

The answer to patience problems with my niece (as well as being incredibly bratty sometimes) was When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry. Teaches the importance of feelings as well as how to work things out.
posted by banannafish at 11:52 AM on March 21, 2010

Me First by Helen Lester.
posted by headnsouth at 12:24 PM on March 21, 2010

I don't have any advice, but I'm really sorry that below the fold it didn't say, "and could you hurry up!"
posted by Some1 at 1:00 PM on March 21, 2010

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a good book.
posted by justflux at 4:46 AM on March 23, 2010