The Joyful Child: Calm the Chaos, Connect with Your Kids, and Create More Happiness in Your Daily Routines

Rediscover the pure delight of parenting with 75+ playful activities that help kids focus their attention, calm their bodies, and let go of anxiety--from the bestselling author of Breathe Like a Bear.

What if your chaotic mornings, bedtime battles with your child, and their transition meltdowns could turn into moments of laughter, connection, and genuine joy between you? What if your child was able to manage their emotions, focus when needed, and stay in control even in challenging circumstances? You don't need special training to bring about this magic--you need bestselling author, recording artist, and mindfulness teacher Kira Willey's expert, energetic guidance. Her signature method prioritizes presence and play and honors a child's natural love of music and movement as pathways to calm and focus. Rather than dealing with emotional overwhelm after it happens, her simple activities build lasting regulation skills in kids while making everyday moments more fun for the whole family.

The Joyful Child is organized by time of day--from "Wake-Up Wiggle!" which transforms mornings into celebration with fun movement, to "The Worry Box," which gives children a place to leave their concerns at night. Each activity takes one minute or less but transforms ordinary routines into extraordinary opportunities for connection.

The Joyful Child includes:

- QR codes to videos demonstrating songs and rhythm games that captivate children while helping them find focus and calm
- Classroom adaptations for teachers to bring these practices to school
- Curated song suggestions from the author's award-winning catalog
- "Calm Starts with You" tips for grounded, present parenting

Parents of young children need proactive solutions that prevent crises before they start--especially with children's anxiety at an all-time high. Consider The Joyful Child your essential toolkit for creating the calm, joyful family life you've been craving.

Author: Kira Willey
Publisher: Rodale Books
Published: 04/21/2026
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 9.21h x 8.07w x 0.74d
ISBN: 9780593980606

About the Author
Kira Willey is the author of seven bestselling children's books that have been translated into twenty-four languages, including the #1 beloved bestseller Breathe Like a Bear. A world-renowned recording artist, Kira is also the co-creator and host of three PBS mindfulness, music, and yoga television shows and the creator of Rockin' Yoga school programs. As a yoga teacher and lifelong musician, Kira's unique and powerful method of integrating music and movement into joyful, child-centered mindfulness practices has resulted in millions of streams, more than half a million children's book sales, and a massive, devoted fan base spanning the globe. A mother of three, she lives in eastern Pennsylvania.