Social Emotional Learning at the Library

Storytimes have always been vehicles for fostering early literacy skills, and they can help with your child(ren)’s social emotional development too. Many parents and caregivers seek to instill a love of reading to give their little ones a boost with future academics, but social competency also factors into success both in and outside of school. Children need opportunities to identify and manage their emotions, to practice setting goals, to show compassion towards others, to form meaningful relationships, and to make responsible decisions, all of which libraries can help provide. Read on to learn more about library storytimes and recommended titles geared toward early social emotional development.

While most HCPL storytimes incorporate elements of social emotional learning, our Read, Play, Grow storytime has been designed specifically with this focus in mind. Best for ages 3-5, this storytime helps children recognize and regulate their emotions in a safe setting through books, songs, and movement activities. Children will explore themes such as taking turns, handling moods, trying new things, and making friends.

And for families who would like to work on these skills at home, you already have some simple tools at your disposal: classic kids’ songs!

• For example, any tune can work as a “freeze dance,” a fun approach to utilizing a key skill for classroom readiness: impulse control. Stop and start the song at random, giving kids a chance to counter the urge to move.

• “Itsy Bitsy Spider” contains a priceless lesson about resilience. Though the rain washes the spider out, it doesn’t give up, but climbs right back up that water spout. This tiny character is a role model for how to set a goal and achieve it, one step at a time, over and over again if necessary!

• “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a terrific tune about expressing emotions in constructive ways. If children are mad, the song suggests they can stomp their feet—which doesn’t harm them or anyone else. This tune is particularly well-suited to improvisation. Drop in any emotion and then insert a line about a beneficial coping mechanism: if you’re sad, you can cry; if you’re frustrated, take a breath, etc.

COLLECTION

Many titles in the library’s collection can also serve to engage children in kid-friendly discussions about positive ways to interact with others as well as feel good about themselves.

• Sometimes All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo (Spanish edition: A Veces, Yo Soy Todo Lo Que Necesito) – This title is a wonderful treatise on independent problem-solving. Sure, we can all benefit from a little help on occasion, but how satisfying it is to lean on the strength we find within ourselves as a ready resource.

• I Am a Masterpiece! by Mia Armstrong - As the subtitle declares, this is “an empowering story about inclusivity and growing up with Down Syndrome.” Mia is a unique voice who’s proud of how capable she is, something she calls her superpower.

• One of These Is Not Like the Others by Barney Saltzberg - This book superficially reads like a grocery store magazine puzzle, but instead of isolating the odd ones out and leaving it at that, the through line emphasizes that differences don’t have to get in the way of friendships.

• That’s (Not) Mine! by Anna Kang - Ah, sharing—so many children struggle with this! A humorous yet deeply insightful consideration of what constitutes fairness and how preserving good relations is ultimately the most desirable outcome.

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (also available on Hoopla) - It can be difficult to know how to soothe someone (or yourself!) overwhelmed by sorrow or an upsetting situation. This book lets children explore multiple approaches and their varying degrees of usefulness, depending on what the situation might warrant.

• Every Little Thing by Bob & Cedella Marley (also available on Hoopla) - The world can be a bewildering and distressing place for kids. They need reassurance that it is also full of wonders, that they’re protected and cared for, and that no matter what happens, they will be “alright.”

• Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla - When things go sideways, the best remedy is a bit of consolation from someone close to you. What if your sibling beats you to all the parental sympathy, though? In this story, Sammy’s little brother with autism shows how even the youngest among us can supply comfort and support.

• The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar (also available on Hoopla) - Associating colors with ever-changing moods can help children express their emotions effectively, and as Harpreet demonstrates, channel those feelings purposefully toward accomplishing an objective.

• Love the World by Todd Parr - Like a primer on the topic, this book encompasses all aspects of social emotional aptitude. Love really is the answer!