Posted on March 30th, 2026

 

Teaching a young child to balance high energy with a soft touch is a common challenge for many parents and educators.

Children often express their excitement through physical movement, but they do not always realize when their strength becomes too much for others.

We believe that stories provide the perfect bridge to help kids see their own actions through the eyes of a relatable character.

By following the adventures of a boisterous yet well-meaning gorilla, children can learn how to adjust their behavior without losing their joy.

Read on to discover how we use storytelling to turn rough moments into opportunities for kindness and connection.

 

Building Empathy Through Storytelling for Young Children

Empathy is the ability to recognize how another person feels, and for a toddler, this is a complex skill to master. When children play, they are often focused on their own immediate goals, such as building a tower or running a race. They might not notice when a peer looks upset or when a pet tries to move away.

We use the story of Glenna to show that even the strongest characters need to be mindful of those around them. When a child sees Glenna accidentally upset her friend Gia, they begin to understand that actions have consequences. This realization is the first step toward developing a gentle heart and a more careful approach to physical interaction.

Stories act as a safe space for children to explore these big emotions. Instead of receiving a lecture about being too loud or too rough, they watch a character they like face those same struggles. This creates a sense of shared experience that makes the lesson feel less like a correction and more like a discovery.

We find that children are much more likely to adopt new behaviors when they can model them after a hero who is also learning. By focusing on the bond between Glenna and Gia, we emphasize that being careful with our hands is a way to show love for our friends.

There are several ways that storytelling specifically helps build this emotional bridge:

• It provides a vocabulary for feelings that children might not yet be able to name.
• It shows the facial expressions and body language of characters who are hurt or happy.
• It allows children to predict what might happen next based on a character’s choices.
• It offers a clear resolution that demonstrates how to make amends after a mistake.

By using these narrative tools, we help children see that their physical strength is a gift that should be used with care and intention. When a child understands that their hands can either build up a friendship or cause distress, they start to make more conscious choices during playtime. This shift from impulsive movement to thoughtful interaction is a major milestone in early childhood development. We see this growth happen naturally as kids return to the story of Glenna and reflect on her choices during their own daily activities. Over time, the concept of "gentle hands" moves from a command they hear to a value they hold.

 

Four Simple Ways to Encourage Kind and Soft Play at Home

Bringing the lessons from the page into the living room requires a bit of consistency and a lot of positive reinforcement. We know that children thrive when they have clear expectations and fun ways to practice their new skills. Encouraging soft play does not mean stopping the fun, but rather adding a layer of awareness to the environment. You can start by creating specific games that require a light touch, which helps children build the muscle memory needed for gentleness. Using a character like Glenna as a reference point makes these lessons feel like part of a fun challenge rather than a set of strict rules.

One effective method is to use gentle reminders that connect back to the story. If things start to get a bit too rowdy, you can ask your child how Glenna might handle the situation. This shifts the focus away from the child being in trouble and places it on the concept of being a good friend.

We also recommend setting up a dedicated space for quiet activities where the energy level is naturally lower. This helps children learn how to transition between high-energy outdoor play and the calm focus required for indoor interactions. Consistency is the most important factor in making these habits stick over time.

Consider these practical activities to help reinforce the idea of gentle touch:

1. Practice petting a stuffed animal: Use just two fingers to learn the appropriate amount of pressure.
2. Use bubbles: Encourage children to catch them on their wands without popping them immediately.
3. Slow Motion Tag: Play a game where every movement must be deliberate, soft, and slow.
4. Kindness Jar: Add small tokens every time a child uses gentle hands to provide a visual reward.

These activities turn the abstract concept of gentleness into something tangible and rewarding. When a child successfully catches a bubble or pets a cat softly, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. We encourage parents to celebrate these small wins loudly, as positive attention is a powerful motivator for young learners.

Over time, these small acts of kind play become the default way the child interacts with the world. By making gentleness a celebrated trait, we help children see it as a sign of strength rather than a limitation on their energy. It teaches them that the strongest people are often the ones who are most careful with others.

 

Why Visual Examples Help Toddlers Master Self-Control

Toddlers are visual learners who process information best when they can see it in action. While verbal instructions are helpful, a vibrant illustration of a character like Glenna provides a much stronger mental image. When a child looks at a picture of Glenna holding something fragile with care, they are seeing a blueprint for their own behavior. We prioritize high-quality illustrations because they capture the emotional nuances of a scene in a way that words alone cannot. Seeing the joy on a friend's face when Glenna plays nicely is a powerful visual reward that stays with a child long after the book is closed.

Visual storytelling also helps children understand the concept of personal space. In the illustrations, children can see the physical distance between characters and how that changes based on the type of play. This helps them recognize similar cues in their own lives, such as when a playmate leans back or looks uncomfortable.

By observing these visual cues in a book, children become better at reading the room during actual social interactions. This level of awareness is necessary for self-control, as it allows the child to pause and adjust before a situation escalates into rough play.

The use of color and expression in our books serves several important functions:

• Bright colors draw the child’s attention to the most important parts of the page.
• Exaggerated facial expressions help children identify emotions like surprise or sadness.
• Consistent character designs allow children to form a trusted bond with the protagonist.
• Action sequences show the physical steps involved in moving from rough to gentle play.

By providing these clear visual markers, we give children the tools they need to regulate their own impulses. Self-control is not something that happens overnight, but it is a skill that can be nurtured through repeated exposure to positive examples.

When a child can visualize the outcome of their actions, they are much more likely to choose the path of kindness. We are committed to creating stories that serve as a visual show for these necessary life skills, helping every child become the best version of themselves through the power of great art and meaningful narratives.

 

Practice Safe and Kind Play with Janet Ashmore

We are dedicated to helping families grow together through stories that teach lasting values and social skills. Our books are designed to be more than just entertainment; they are tools for parents to foster a home filled with patience and gentleness.

If you are ready to help your little ones learn how to play with care, we invite you to buy the Glenna the Gorilla Learns About Gentleness book today.

You can reach out to us with any questions about our collection by sending an email to [email protected]. We also welcome you to visit us at 13688 Orange Sunset, Tampa, Florida, to learn more about our mission.

Let us work together to give your children the gift of kindness and self-control through the magic of storytelling.