Natalie Rehm

Professor Cordova

ENG 116B

17 May 2018

The Theory of Children’s Literature Classics

It is easy as adults to turn a blind eye at children’s

literature around us. After elementary school a lot of people do

not ever see any classic children’s literature ever again. It

can also been seen as losing our inner child and use of

imagination. Although, there is a theory to why parents, adult,

and educators read creative and imaginative stories to our

children. Children’s literature is theoretically a teaching tool

to aid children during their development stages in life such as,

intellectual development, social development, and moral

development.

Children’s literature can contribute to a child’s

intellectual development in many ways. When a child is

developing their intellectual development they are learning from

their environment and experience by displaying trial and error,

questioning and listening. Through children’s literature they

can apply all those learning methods through books. The most

important elements of intellectual learning is language and

cognitive development. When a child reads a book to themselves

or out loud it instantly is strengthening their language skills

which also creates stringer cognitive development by organizing

what a child is experiencing. There a specific milestones that

children need to develop when developing intellectually. This

theory will focus on reading and language. When learning to read

children are being read to, looking at books, recognizing a

picture, and connecting words with pictures(Intellectual Web).

The act of reading children's literature contributes to language

development which helps an individual understand and organize

the world around them. The cognitive learning really focuses on

organizing information and the use of imagination. This is where

we see children being able to picture things that are not in

from of them. Children’s books provides a way for children to

establish an imagination and be able to develop problem solving

skills and think creatively(Intellectual Web).

Children’s literature simply helps students develop

socially by showing them empathize with other and make new

friends(Using Web). It is hard for children to understand others

people feelings at a young age. So, children’s books can easily

show children how other characters might feel in the story.

MAking friends is a huge deal in a young child's life.

Children’s books can teach children those skills on how to make

new friends in their community, classrooms, or with family

relationships. Many books plots can show children an appropriate

way to approach other people. The story of beauty and the beast
from the annotated book of fairytales can show children to

accept others that look or act different than them. Some

teachers can use books as a learning resource, but the students

learn social development through the stories. Even Though, the

story of the beauty and the Beast might not be the greatest

education resource, it will benefit the student even outside the

classroom. They could demonstrate this skill in the playground

with others or even at home. Stories from children’s literature

is beneficial in that aspect(Using Web).

The most important element of this children’s literature

theory in the essence of moral development that students gain

from reading books. We ultimately want individuals to have good

morals within their own character that carries with them through

a lifetime. Using books in school essentially show students the

simplistic idea of what is right and what is wrong. Everyday

children face problem solving scenarios relating to what is

right and wrong. Stories can show enable students to relate to

the story and reflect on what the protagonist would to in a

storyline and relate that to their own life. Children’s

literature has the ability to mold good characteristics in

children for the future. Some individuals may feel that books

are not as important or valuable, but through a story’s tale

children can benefit is so many ways(Kevser Web).

 This theory to children's literacy shows that children’s

books can grow intellectual development with children. At an

early age stories can develop language and cognitive

development. A child’s social development can be easily

influenced by a story. It can teach them empathy and techniques

to make new friends. These stories ultimately show children

moral development that can create good characteristics for

children in the future. The idea of right from wrong is

initiated. Children’s literature is theoretically a teaching

tool to aid children during their development stages in life

such as, intellectual development, social development, and moral

development.

Works Cited

“Intellectual Development.” Confidentiality,

resources.hwb.wales.gov.uk/VTC/2012-

13/22032013/hsc/eng/unit_2/hsc_u2_hgd/hsc_u2_intellectual

-dev.htm.
Study.com, Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/social-

emotional-benefits-of-childrens-literature.html.

“Using Children's Literature to Teach Social Skills.”

General Information About Speech and Language Disorders |

LD Topics | LD OnLine, www.ldonline.org/article/6194/.

Kevser, et al. “The Moral of the Story Is ...: Using

Children's Literature in Moral Education.”Center for

Civic Innovation, Manhattan Institute for Policy

Research. 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Tel:

212-599-7000; Fax: 212-599-3494; Web Site:

Http://Www.manhattan-Institute.org, 31 Dec. 2003,

eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ751278.

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