Developing Self-help Competence in Children through Modern Uzbek Literature: Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Perspectives

In recent years, the concept of self-help has become increasingly relevant in the context of children’s development, highlighting the importance of fostering emotional, social, and cognitive skills from an early age. This article examines how modern Uzbek children’s literature incorporates elements of self-help to support the development of emotional literacy, self-confidence, social skills, and coping strategies. Three contemporary Uzbek books—Hovlimizdagi voqea, Ajoyib cactus, and Sumalakning sehrli toshi—are analyzed as case studies, illustrating how narrative structure, character development, and visual strategies provide children with practical models for managing emotions, making decisions, and interacting effectively with others. The findings suggest that Uzbek children’s literature promotes self-help not only at the individual level but also through collective and family-oriented values, reflecting cultural and moral traditions. This study underscores the pedagogical and psychological significance of literary texts as tools for enhancing children’s resilience, autonomy, and social competence, offering insights for educators,