Improving Emotional Intelligence: A Guide for Selecting Bibliotherapeutic Materials for Young Children

Current research shows a decline in emotional intelligence among our children. Simultaneously, public school systems are under critique for inadequately addressing the growing social needs of students. This project reviews the current literature on the problem and on popular intervention programs used to offer social skill development in the classroom. The capstone presents developmental bibliotherapy as a model for building social skills among younger children, using small group guided reading as the delivery method. A book selection criteria rubric based on developmental bibliotherapy best practice is established to create an annotated book list appropriate for K-3 children. Teachers accessing this list can be assured that careful consideration went into developing this resource list to adhere to federally mandated standards