And one has to understand that braveness is not the absence of fear but rather the strength to keep on going forward despite the fear.
– Paulo Coelho

Contributed by Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer, Bright Horizons.

Using children’s books to foster a love of reading and nurture early language and literacy skills is commonplace in an early childhood classroom, but they can also serve as an excellent Social Emotional Learning (SEL) resource.

Importantly, books can show children how to navigate through experiences they may never have had or have limited experience with such as going to the doctor, or a new baby joining the family. They can also introduce children to a host of different emotions and provide insight on different ways to handle them. Some books are written specifically around common social issues, but all books can be used to support SEL.

Learn more strategies in Rachel Robertson’s article, “Reading Between the Lines,” and check out her three SEL focused children’s books written specifically for ECE classrooms.

Editor’s note: In the Out of the Box training, “Making Happy Happen: Building Resilience in Children,” based on an article by Rachel Robertson, she offers more ways to support SEL and resilience, pointing out that “one of the best ways to nurture happiness is to prepare children for the adversity they are guaranteed to encounter in life: in other words, develop their resilience.”