Storytelling and bibliotherapy: tools and techniques for children receiving therapeutic intervention

ABSTRACT

Storytelling is a critical skill for interventionists interested in providing services to children through bibliotherapy. Developmental age and the actual abilities of children to process different challenges and coping strategies should also be considered as the therapist plans the intervention. Specific techniques in storytelling and engagement are reviewed. Heath and Heath (2008) offer the constructs of simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility and emotion as an overview for storytelling approaches. A brief review of the bibliotherapy process is provided. Successful practice examples based in art, creative writing, technology, active games, play and socialization are analyzed. Paired books and activities with goal, theme and age group descriptors are summarized for the practitioner.

KEYWORDS:

• Storytelling
• bibliotherapy
• therapeutic activities
• children
• interventions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).