Before presenting samplers, activities and
the approach into a bibliotherapy session, there are three basic points to
remember when one is preparing for a bibliotherapy session. Teacher, writer and
guidance counselor Theres Pelias, in her research on bibliotherapy in 2005,
provides these reminders:
●
Read.
Nothing beats a personal knowledge of the story.
●
Identify
significant parts of the story that echoes your own feelings and thoughts.
●
Be keen with
connections you know the student/reader can make with the selection on hand.
For
school librarians, Keri McCaffrey (2016) has this to say:
●
Develop a
comprehensive bibliotherapy list – inclusive of all literary types, genre and
media format.
●
Accompany
the book list or directory with displays of books.
●
Create
information on mental health and wellness books.
●
Create programming
with children and teens that address difficult issues and foster learning in a
safe environment.
Resources
for bibliotherapy are very important. This is why, in cooperation with
librarian friends in the Southern Tagalog Region, we have started collecting
and curating titles of books recommended by teachers, parents, writers and
concerned professionals. The link to the online form can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/
The librarians involved in this project will
be in-charge of the development of a Philippine Bibliotherapy Resource Center (PBRC).
This establishment of the PBRC is an online directory and database. Inspired by
the many initiatives of librarians, artists, cultural workers and storytellers working
and helping evacuation center personnel, staff and volunteers in Batangas, the PBRC
includes art, play, music and movement resources. It has three guidelines for recommending
books, activities and resources.
1. Our readers and learners are children in the K-3
grade levels. Consider their development stages in reading and information
processing.
2. Our target readers and learners are children
from Batangas who are affected by the eruption of Taal volcano. Context
matters!
3. Universal themes such as hope, perseverance,
kindness and the like are just as important as the readers’ context and
developmental stages. Your recommended books and resources can go beyond topics
and concepts on natural disasters, displacement, loss, and evacuation.
Here are seven easy to do starter tips for
planning and preparing for a bibliotherapy session:
· * Focus on
your purpose: a bibliotherapist is a companion, a listener and a guide.
· * Select a
story that is appropriate for the occasion and purpose of the bibliotherapy
session.
· * Determine objectives
and anticipate responses of young readers/listeners of your session.
· * Follow the 3
steps plus 2 when planning: identification, catharsis, insight + taking action
and follow through
· * Assess and
evaluate the bibliotherapy session by reviewing and reflecting the objectives after
its conduct.
· * Anecdote and
document as you go. This can also be done by a partner. Needless to say, your
preparation and planning can be approached through group or team effort. Composition of team: Storyteller; Scribe; Facilitator/s; Logistics and Operations
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