Bibliotherapy. Supporting Children's Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic Through Picture Books

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Part I: Theoretical Framework
• (Children's) Picture Books
• E-Books
• Tender Topics in (Children's) Picture Books
• Critical Thinking Through (Children's) Picture Books
• (Children's) Mental Health
• Bibliotherapy
• Covid-19 and Its Consequences
• Publishing During a Pandemic
• Covid-19 Topics Affecting Children
• Covid-19 and CLIL
• (Children's) Mental Health and Covid-19
• Part II: Analysis of Selected (Children's) Picture Books
• Excursion: Ontology of Reality and Postmodern Picture Books
• Method and Procedure
• Introduction of Selected (Children's) Picture Books
• Analysis
• Results
• Response - Results
• Mental Health - Results
• Pandemic - Results
• Messages - Results
• Evaluation
• Findings and Discussion
• Response - Findings
• Mental Health - Findings
• Pandemic - Findings
• Messages - Findings
• Limitations
• Research questions

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis explores the potential of bibliotherapy using picture books to support children's mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study aims to analyze how picture books address the challenges and anxieties experienced by children during this time and identify their effectiveness as therapeutic tools.

• The role of picture books in supporting children's mental health
• The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children's mental well-being
• The use of bibliotherapy as a therapeutic intervention for children
• The effectiveness of picture books in addressing specific themes related to the pandemic, such as isolation, fear, and uncertainty
• The potential of picture books to promote resilience and coping mechanisms in children

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the scene for the study by introducing the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on children's mental health. It also introduces the concept of bibliotherapy and its potential application in this context.
• (Children's) Picture Books: This chapter delves into the characteristics and potential of picture books, focusing on their suitability for exploring complex themes and fostering emotional understanding in children. It also examines the specific features of e-books and their relevance to the study.
• Bibliotherapy: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of bibliotherapy as a therapeutic approach, outlining its principles, methods, and applications in various contexts.
• Covid-19 and Its Consequences: This chapter explores the multifaceted impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children's lives and mental well-being, highlighting the specific challenges and anxieties they faced. It also examines the publishing landscape during the pandemic and the emergence of picture books addressing Covid-19-related themes.
• (Children's) Mental Health and Covid-19: This chapter investigates the specific impact of the pandemic on children's mental health, examining the prevalence of mental health issues and the factors contributing to their emergence.
• Method and Procedure: This chapter outlines the research methodology used in the study, including the selection of picture books, data collection methods, and analytical framework.
• Introduction of Selected (Children's) Picture Books: This chapter provides a detailed overview of the picture books selected for analysis, highlighting their key themes and narrative elements.
• Analysis: This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the selected picture books, focusing on how they address the themes of response, mental health, pandemic, and messages.
• Results: This chapter presents the findings of the analysis, summarizing the key insights derived from the study of the selected picture books.
• Evaluation: This chapter critically evaluates the findings of the study, discussing their implications for the understanding of bibliotherapy and its potential application in supporting children's mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This study focuses on the use of picture books as a tool for bibliotherapy to support children's mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Key concepts include bibliotherapy, children's literature, picture books, mental health, Covid-19, and the impact of the pandemic on children.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bibliotherapy?

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic intervention that uses systematic reading of stories to help individuals, especially children, identify problems, discuss feelings, and explore solutions to difficult situations.

How can picture books support children's mental health during a pandemic?

Picture books can create a safe space for children to process fear, isolation, and uncertainty, teaching them they are not alone and providing insights into the changing world around them.

What were the main psychological challenges for children during Covid-19?

Children faced loneliness, boredom, stress in family relationships, and exposure to domestic violence due to school lockdowns and social distancing measures.

Are e-books suitable for bibliotherapy?

Yes, the thesis examines the role of e-books as relevant tools for emotional understanding and therapeutic support in a modern digital context.

Can reading stories improve a child's resilience?

Yes, bibliotherapy helps children develop better coping strategies and resilience by allowing them to face uncertainty and explore possible solutions through narrative.