Children of Incarcerated Parents
Books and activities to help children understand separation, express their feelings, and stay connected with an incarcerated parent.
When A Parent Goes To Jail: A Comprehensive Guide for Counseling Children of Incarcerated Parents By Rebecca M. Yaffe & Lonnie F. Hoad
“When a Parent Goes to Jail” is a resource to help children of incarcerated parents cope with the traumas they face – physical, emotional, and social stigmas and feelings of guilt, anger, fear, and shame – and guide them in making wiser life choices.
My Daddy Is In Jail: Story, Discussion Guide, and Small Group Activities For Grades K-5 By Janet M. Bender
“My Daddy is in Jail” includes a read-aloud story, discussion guide, caregiver suggestions, and optional small group counseling activities. This resource can be used one-on-one or in a group setting. With this book, helping professionals, and other caring adults will find themselves better equipped to provide information and support to these vulnerable children and their families.
Mama Loves Me From Away By Pat Brisson
Mama Loves Me From Away is about a young girl who shares a special connection with her incarcerated mother through storytelling.
Visiting Day By Jacqueline Woodson
A children’s book about a little girl and her grandmother who take a long bus ride to visit her father who is in prison.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
“The Invisible String” is a very simple approach to overcoming the fear of loneliness or separation with an imaginative flair that young children can easily identify with and remember.
Sesame Street | Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration
The incarceration of a loved one can be very overwhelming for both children and caregivers. It can bring about big changes and transitions. In simple everyday ways, you can comfort your child and guide her through these tough moments. With your love and support, she can get through anything that comes her way. Here are some tools to help you with the changes your child is going through. (Ages 3-8)
iTunes App for Sesame Street: Incarceration
The original site recommended the Sesame Street: Incarceration app for iPhone and iPad to help children ages 3–8 cope with a parent’s incarceration. Current app-store availability could not be verified; use the Sesame Street website resource if the app is unavailable.
Google Play Store App for Sesame Street: Incarceration
The original site recommended the Sesame Street: Incarceration app for Android to help children ages 3–8 cope with a parent’s incarceration. Current app-store availability could not be verified; use the Sesame Street website resource if the app is unavailable.
Sesame Street in Communities: Incarceration
Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration, a bilingual (English/Spanish) multimedia initiative, provides much-needed resources to support and comfort young children throughout their parents’ incarceration.