The Pros and Cons of Bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy has become a new trend for students to cope with difficult issues that they encounter. Although this concept is not new, it's new to the classroom. Bibliotherapy has been defined as the "prescription of books", but it is so much more that another avenue to "prescribe medicine". Many times kids do not need chemical medicine, they just a gateway to confront their issues. 

1. The "Pros"!!!!

The "Pros" of Bibliotherapy have benefited students in various ways inside and outside the classroom. Bibliotherapy is a way to develop creative and critical thinking skills. It brings the problems to the forefront in a nonexplosive way. Many children channel their life through a fictional character, which in return gives them effective problem solving skills. Once they finish reading the book, they open up more freely in a therapeutic way. In some cases, Bibliotherapy is performed in groups and kids work together in a group to develop empathy.

                               2. The "Cons"     

There is always a "Con" to every "Pro" in any situation and Bibliotherapy is not any different. The child's willingness to read or be read to is important. If a child does not like books, Bibliotherapy is pointless. This concept of therapy is not a single approach, It works hand and hand with other interventions. Bibliotherapy is not meant for a daily session and unfortunately all areas of disappointments are not available. Bibliotherapy is also pointless if a child dislikes reading or is unable to read. 

Bibliotherapy is a great new concept to us in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. It can be used in multiple ways,especially for instructional time.