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As the education community adapts to distance learning and supporting students outside of school buildings, we know that building literacy skills for students while also maintaining social-emotional learning is critically important. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is defined as the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

What better way to support the development of SEL and literacy skills than to focus on both at the same time through reading and storytelling? Reading aloud to children is more than just reading. It is taking them on an adventure. It is sharing what you are wondering, and it is learning how to think like a reader. Research has proven the importance and value of reading to children, and with reading comes meaningful conversation about the emotions of characters, themes of the book, relatable challenges. It also invites a reader's curiosity about something new.

In order to support educators and caretakers develop “master readers,” our team wanted to share a few of our favorite children’s books with you and the children you support. You’ll notice that the stories we chose will also highlight characters' thoughts, challenges, and emotions. Talking through these with your child will help develop those SEL skills.

Explore our accompanying guide outlining best practices in building literacy to support you as you use the videos. We hope that this supports you as you embrace the joys of reading and storytelling with students and children.