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Any time that you read or listen to a book with your child can be an opportunity for social emotional learning. Books are filled with emotions. Characters experience ups and downs, face difficulties, and overcome challenges. And as we read along, we feel things, too—about the characters and ourselves.
Any time that you read or listen to a book with your child can be an opportunity for social emotional learning. Books are filled with emotions. Characters experience ups and downs, face difficulties, and overcome challenges. And as we read along, we feel things, too—about the characters and ourselves.
If you don't have books at home or are looking to expand your collection, Storyline Online has dozens of streaming videos featuring famous actors reading children's books.
If you don't have books at home or are looking to expand your collection, Storyline Online has dozens of streaming videos featuring famous actors reading children's books.
Thoughtful Learning developed a process you can follow to integrate social emotional learning opportunities while reading with your child:
Thoughtful Learning developed a process you can follow to integrate social emotional learning opportunities while reading with your child:
Asking Social Emotional Learning Questions
Asking Social Emotional Learning Questions
Before Reading
Before Reading
After you or your child has selected a story or a book, have them preview it by looking at the cover or skimming through the first through pages. Ask your child one or more questions on emotions. For example:
Based on the cover, what emotion do you think the characters will feel most strongly during the story? Happiness? Sadness? Fear? Hurt? Love? Anger?
What did you learn about the characters' emotions/feelings after skimming the first few pages?
During Reading
During Reading
Periodically, pause the reading and reflect out loud about the emotions of the characters.
Can you identify the emotion(s) that the main character is feeling?
What event or events led him or her to feel this way?
How is the emotion similar to or different from what the character was feeling earlier in the story?
How does the main character express emotions? Are the emotions expressed in a healthy and productive way?
After a few reflection sessions focused on how the characters are feeling, ask your child to reflect on their own emotions. Pause the reading and ask:
How are you feeling about what is happening in the story? Why do you think that you are feeling that emotion?
How would you feel if you were in the same situation as the main character? Why?
How have your emotions changed during the course of the story?
If your child is young, you could also present quick directives about primary emotions: Raise your hand if you are feeling happy right now. Now raise your hand if you are feeling sad. Continue the activity with any remaining emotions (e.g., fear, anger, hurt, and love). Afterward, provide your child time to elaborate on the emotions they feel.
After Reading
After Reading
When the story is finished, encourage your child to reflect on the characters’ emotional development as well as their own. Here are some possible prompts:
How did the main character’s emotion change throughout the story?
What emotions did you feel when the story ended? Why do you feel this way?
Do you think other readers feel different emotions about the conclusion of the story? How so?
Asking social emotional learning questions throughout the reading process should illuminate the connection between actions and emotions—in both real life and in fiction. Be sure to use these questions as opportunities for discussion. Share your own thoughts with your child as well.
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