Children's Literature: Impact on Early Childhood Development

Children's Literature: Foundations and Impact

Children live in a world surrounded by signs and symbols, and they begin to understand narratives long before they decode the alphabet. Children's literature (LI) encompasses any demonstration or activity based on written or oral narratives. In the 20th century, writers like Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm paved the way for emphasizing the educational enjoyment derived from children's literature.

Types of Children's Literature by Creator

• Literature created for children: Specifically written for the child reader.
• Literature adapted for children: Works not originally intended for children but modified for their enjoyment.
• Instrumental literature: Primarily used for educational purposes.
• Literature created by and for children: Works where children are both the creators and the intended audience.

Types of Children's Literature by Genre

• Epic works: Stories, legends, fables, and similar narratives.
• Lyrical works: Riddles, nursery rhymes, poems, and other poetic forms.
• Dramatic works: Theater, plays, and other forms of drama.

Types of Children's Literature by Function

• Alphabet books or workbooks: Designed to teach the alphabetic code, often featuring iconic images of objects or animals whose names begin with a specific letter.
• Recognition books (Imaginary function): Simple sets of didactic images presented on a neutral background, aiding in visual recognition.
• Stories and knowledge books: Includes traditional storybooks, alphabetical recognition books, and knowledge-based books that enhance understanding of the environment and language mechanics.
• Picture books (Albums): Often text-free, suitable for very young children, where the image and the sequence between images are paramount.

Core Objectives of Children's Literature

• Foster enjoyment, imagination, and creativity in children.
• Introduce language as a fundamental means of expression and communication.
• Acquaint children with their surrounding world and its cultural characteristics.
• Provide tools for children to express their inner world.
• Introduce the aesthetic use of language and promote smooth imitation.
• Aid in the development of the child's personality.

Role of Educators in Promoting Children's Literature

• Possess deep knowledge of children's literature and recommend appropriate works for specific age groups.
• Employ rich and imitable language in interactions and storytelling.
• Utilize imagination to create engaging activities that develop literary appreciation.
• Cultivate a genuine love for literature, inspiring students.
• Involve families in literary activities and reading initiatives.

The Role of Poetry in Children's Literature

Poetry, especially from oral tradition (folklore), significantly promotes intellectual, linguistic, and affective development, strengthening the child-adult relationship and fostering imagination.

Benefits of Oral Poetry

• Familiar songs, rhymes, or riddles create a vital link between school and family.
• Brevity and rhythm make poems educational and easily memorized.
• Simple vocabulary ensures easy comprehension, posing no significant language barriers.

Integrating Poetry in the Classroom

• Poetry should be a fun activity involving listening, reciting, and playing with the poem.
• Recite poetry orally, varying pace (loud/slow), conveying meaning, emotion, and feelings.
• Bringing the poem to life through voice makes it vibrant, attractive, and emotionally engaging for children, serving as a strong motivational tool.

Classification of Children's Literature

Children's literature can also be broadly classified into:

• Picture books / Albums
• Fiction
• Non-fiction (e.g., Dictionaries, Documentary Periodicals)
• Graphic Novels (e.g., Comic Books)

The Educational Value of Storytelling

Storytelling is often a child's first approach to literature, both oral and written. Hearing stories narrated forms the basis of a child's love for literature; they will want to reread and relive those happy moments.

Characteristics of Effective Stories

• Adaptability: Must adapt to the child's developmental stage:
  • 1-3 years: Interested in words, often animistic thinking.
  • 3-5 years: Developing imagination.
  • 5-8 years: Strong interest in fantasy.
• Brevity: Should be brief and suited to children's attention spans.
• Clarity: Must have a clear and simple structure and language.

Functions and Benefits of Storytelling

• Develop new learning and motivate curiosity.
• Promote linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
• Foster aesthetic, expressive, and emotional development.
• Offer therapeutic effects, providing resources to cope with trauma (e.g., separation, jealousy, death).
• Provide distraction and enjoyment for the child.
• Complement and strengthen other learning activities.
• Strengthen teacher-child interaction.
• Integrate elements for working on the three areas of Early Childhood Education (EI) as outlined in relevant Royal Decrees (RD).
• Foster a lifelong love for reading.