Introducing The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp Discussion Guide
Supporting young children as they navigate big emotions, sensory inputs, and early social dynamics requires more than just reading a great story, it requires meaningful, open-ended dialogue. To help educators, parents, librarians, and clinicians unlock the full developmental potential of The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp series, Santos Press offers a free companion Discussion Guide and Prompts.
Authored by Dr. Franco E. Santos, this guide serves as a free companion tool for the first six books in the series. It bridges the gap between engaging story-times and practical Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions, giving adults a roadmap for facilitating conversations around self-awareness, coping strategies, mindfulness, perspective-taking, and community belonging.
Flexible Application Across Professional & Home Settings
Designed specifically for early childhood development (ages 3–7), the guide is tailored for versatility across multiple professional and home environments:
- Early Childhood Classrooms & Preschools – Circle-Time Discussions: Spark group dialogue after read-aloud sessions using targeted prompts that connect story themes to daily classroom experiences.
- SEL Curriculum Enhancement: Integrate specific book themes such as managing unexpected schedule changes or practicing mindfulness into established SEL units.
- Pediatric Mental Health & Clinical Interventions – One-on-One Counseling: Utilize Chomp’s experiences with overstimulation, sensory balance, and social anxiety as gentle therapeutic metaphors during pediatric sessions.
- Co-Regulation Frameworks: Help young clients identify trusted adults and safe emotional grounding techniques through guided reflection.
- Libraries & Community Story Hours – Interactive Story-times: Engage young listeners by interjecting open-ended questions that encourage active participation without testing or lecturing.
- Parent & Caregiver Takeaways: Offer printed guides alongside book displays to empower parents to extend story-time conversations at home.
- Peaceful Bedtime & Home Routines – Calming Transitions: Use gentle bedtime reflection prompts to help children wind down, process their day, and build secure emotional connections.
Facilitation Philosophy: Open-Ended, Child-Led Dialogue
A core feature of the Guide is its intentional, non-evaluative approach to story reflection. The prompts in the Guide are intentionally open-ended. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. The intent is for the suggested questions to open pathways for expression, not to test comprehension. Facilitators, whether parents, educators, or clinicians, are encouraged to follow the child’s curiosity, validate their unique perspectives, and allow the conversation to flow naturally wherever the child leads. A single question that sparks a meaningful dialogue or quiet reflection is a complete and successful interaction.
By removing performance pressure, children are free to explore their emotional worlds without fear of giving incorrect answers.
Book-by-Book Overview & Core SEL Competencies
The Discussion Guide provides tailored synopses, developmental intents, and 5 open-ended reflection prompts for each title in the series:
| Book Title | Core SEL Focus / Skill Area |
| Book 1: The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp | • Self-Awareness & Body Safety • Sensory Processing & Observation • Transitioning from High Energy to Calm Rest |
| Book 2: Chomp the Chimp and the Rainy Day | • Managing Unexpected Disruptions & Weather Changes • Co-Regulation with Siblings / Caregivers • Cognitive Reframing & Adaptability |
| Book 3: Chomp the Chimp and the Noisy Night | • Auditory Sensitivity & Overstimulation • Seeking Support for Fear & Nighttime Anxiety • Reality-Testing & Grounding Techniques |
| Book 4: Chomp the Chimp Meets Someone New (Or The Shy Porcupine) |
• Empathy & Perspective-Taking with Newcomers • Navigating Social Anxiety & Shyness • Inclusive Community Outreach |
| Book 5: Chomp the Chimp and the Slow Day | • Self-Regulation & Pacing High-Energy Body Cues • Mindful Observation of the Natural World • Respecting Neurodiverse Speeds & Differences |
| Book 6: Chomp the Chimp and the Forest Mystery | • Collaborative Problem-Solving • Reframing Challenges into Playful Cooperation • Agency, Self-Identity & Belonging |
How to Access Your Free Copy
The complete 8-page Discussion Guide is available as a free PDF download for immediate classroom, clinical, or home use. No registration or subscription is required. (Download the free Discussion Guide and Prompts.)
Ordering Information: All titles in The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp series are available in Hardcover and Paperback formats through Ingram, major school and library wholesalers, and major book retailers globally.