An elementary school in Janesville is taking a new approach to teaching kids how to better handle their emotions.

Van Buren School Counselor Julia Humphrey says they have started to use the Understanding Emotions book from SSM Health to build social connections between kids and other students outside of their age group.

Humphrey says the COVID-19 virtual learning era did have some impact on kids, and students in that age group lack social skills and exposure to some social situations that kids normally get around that age.

Humphrey says she hopes students will have a better self-outlook with the use of the new book.