Children are curious, and they want to learn everything. But they aren’t always good at listening to their parents, and it might be difficult to find the right way to explain something at times.
What if you could use a fun, engaging way to get them to pay attention?
Well, now you can!
That is why local doctor Ife Akanegbu created these picture books. Picture books are a fun way for children to learn about a variety of topics, ranging from mental health to the importance of physical health.
Akanegbu has always had a passion for creating stories and expressing himself through writing about his personal life experiences.
“My writing style is very short, concise, and to the point,” he says. “I’m not into flowery language or elaborate descriptions.”
He is particularly interested in mental health and intends to educate children about this topic through picture books, as well as provide insight into the circumstances that may predispose them to it.
“Kids are like sponges,” he says. “They absorb everything and don’t always understand what’s happening. That’s why it’s important to provide critical information to children in an interesting manner.”
Through his books, he’s helping kids understand that mental illness is a very real issue that should be talked about openly and encouraging them to speak out if something is bothering them.
“The best way to do this is through the use of stories. Kids love stories—they’re engaging, fun, and memorable. If you can incorporate your message into a story that you tell your kids, they’re much more likely to remember it later on down the road.”
Stories, he says, are like short movies in which the characters go through different experiences that teach them something valuable about life. “They can be used as a teaching tool because they help children understand concepts better than if they were just being told what they mean.”
A new study has revealed that children with mental health problems aren’t getting the support they need.
Akanegbu says he wants children to be aware of the issues that affect them, their families, and their peers. He has created stories on different topics like obesity, depression, bullying, etc. He writes these stories to educate children at younger ages so they can be better prepared for the future.
He will be launching three picture books as part of the Motivating our Champions series, intended to teach children about mental health through stories, with examples from his own family life and experiences.
The information is presented in an interesting way that kids will love, so they’ll be more likely to listen and absorb key concepts.
“These stories are meant to be relatable to kids so that they can understand what it means to have a mental illness and learn about strategies for dealing with stress before they’re faced with it.”
His books will aim to educate children about mental health, physical health, and sexual health, as well as to break down the stigma associated with them so that children feel more comfortable speaking out early if they are experiencing problems—something that could be critical if a child is suffering from depression or anxiety.
Getting children to understand mental health at a young age can help them be more empathetic and understanding of others’ feelings and experiences as they develop.
Mental well-being affects individuals in different ways, and it is important for children to learn about these differences and how to cope with them.
Akanegbu says he also wants to help parents identify what factors might make their children depressed, such as being overweight, being neglected or abused, playing excessive video games, or watching too much TV. He also wants the parents to be aware of the telltale signs in children.
“These books will include information about how parents can help their kids prevent or manage mental illness,” says Akanegbu, “as well as what to do if someone you know is suffering from one of these disorders.
These books are crafted with love and care, including pleasant and amusing images, and explain the story in simple, easy-to-understand English.”
The books will be available to the public this spring, with a book launch and signing event March 4, 2023, here in town. Details to come as they are made available.
