For effective use, this book should be purchased alongside the story book, The Lonely Little Cactus: A Story About Friendship, Coping, and Belonging. Both books can be purchased together as a set, Building Conceptual PlayWorlds for Wellbeing: The Lonely Little Cactus Story Book and Accompanying Resource Book.

This vital resource uses the evidence-driven Conceptual PlayWorlds model of intentional teaching developed by Professor Marilyn Fleer to provide supporting classroom or home-based activities to help children aged between four and eight solve challenges and learn wellbeing concepts through play.

Intended for use with the accompanying picture story book, The Lonely Little Cactus, a tale about a cactus that feels lonely living in the desert, this guide offers imagery-rich scenarios, including 20 unique activities, so children have an opportunity to experientially grasp wellbeing concepts that can be otherwise difficult to explain. This resource guides educators and teachers through a range of wellbeing activities, including:

• Identifying feelings
• Coping (social support, problem solving, and self-regulation)
• Friendships (relationship building, working together, time with friends, social skills)
• Positive emotions (happiness, joy, doing something you love, enjoyment, fun)
• Relaxation strategies
• Belonging and inclusion (working together, collaboration, joining in play, including others)

Offering a unique opportunity for children to learn about psychological strategies while being engaged in a beautiful narrative and visually captivating illustrations, this is the ideal resource for educators or teachers, support staff, practitioners, and families looking to help children understand and manage their feelings. While the context is centre-based, the activities can be done almost anywhere, such as in family homes, the Botanical Gardens, when on holidays, or when visiting a park.

Kelly-Ann Allen is an associate professor, educational and developmental psychologist, and belonging researcher at Monash University. You can find Kelly-Ann on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @drkellyallen. Resources for wellbeing and belonging can be found at www.drkellyallen.com.

Marilyn Fleer is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and holds the foundation chair in early childhood education and development at Monash University. She researches in the areas of early childhood science, engineering, and technologies with particular attention on digital visual methodology framed through cultural-historical theory. @MarilynFleer is on Twitter and Facebook.

Lara McKinley is an award-winning content producer and communications manager at Monash University. Lara partners with researchers to translate their work to maximise engagement and impact. You can find Lara online on Twitter @Lara_McKinley and LinkedIn and via her website, www.laramckinley.com.