Bibliotherapy and books to help kids solve problems

The process of providing advice through books, any books, is called bibliotherapy. While self-help books, with structured steps for life improvement, are a form of adult bibliotherapy, quality junior fiction offers a range of problem solving options for our children….with out the kids even knowing that the story is helping them solve a real life problem

Apart from the bountiful educational and cultural benefits of encouraging children to read, there are three other great therapeutic reasons to use children’s books to give advice:

1. Identification of character and social situation: This identification increases the probability of learning different behaviors and receiving advice.

2. Catharsis: Through identification, an emotional connection with the character or social situation allows children to act out and discuss their emotional responses to the situation.

3. Insight: Through beneficial discussion and follow-up play, the child integrates the link between the story and their own life, with opportunities to practice how to address and solve issues of concern.

Turn any quality children’s literature into your own in-home child therapist by simply following this plan:

• Step 1) Identify the practical advice (the message) you want your child to know
• Step 2) Match the message with an appropriate book. Seek out junior fiction/non-fiction that deals with the particular issue (drugs, death, alcoholism, fear, bullying, sexual assault, etc). While searching for the advice appropriate book, remember that:

  The book should match your child’s reading ability level,

  The text must be at an interest level appropriate to the maturity of the youngster,

  The theme of the book should match the identified needs,

  The characters should be believable so that the child can identify with with the dilemma,

  The plot of the story should be realistic and involve creativity in problem solving.

• Step 3) Decide on the setting and time for the story reading.
  Will you read it with/to your child, will you leave the book for your child to find, will you suggest the book to your child as a great read and hope they ask you to buy it for them?
• Step 4) Knowing that you need to be active for bibliotherapy to be effective, motivate your child to become involved with an associated problem solving follow up activity by making play suggestions prior to story end (e.g. “We could have a Teddy Bear’s Picnic and ask our friends to donate $1.00 each to the Save the Panda fund.”)
• Step 5) Design one or more follow-up, book-connected activities, based on your child’s interest and ability. This may be as simple as being available for discussion after story end. You may want to engage with your child in drawing a picture from the story, or help your child journal their thoughts on the book. Alternatively, actively encourage dramatic play or drama around the advice issue, or take a visit to a place somehow connected to the story (see Are Children’s books providing them with enough advice for play ideas).
• Step 6) Pre engage in the follow up activities by asking questions or having short discussions throughout the reading. At the end of a chapter or every few pages, sum up so that “the message” does not get lost in the fantasy
• Step 7) Immediately after story end, take a break and allow your child to do their own reflection on the material
• Step 8 ) Introduce the follow-up activities by briefly retelling the story, focusing on how the characters solved their issue, and let the child know what you suggest you could both do to honour the advice/message in the book
• Step 9) Assist your child to integrate the advice gained by honestly answering any questions they may have.



Happy bibliotheraping….there’s a child therapist in every parent

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You may also like to read, Hypnotic stories and bibliotherapy.

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Filed under Blog, Child Safety & Protection, Parenting · Tagged with bibliotherapy, child safety, do it yourself therapy, Parenting, social work