Importance of Literature

REFLECTION ON SOCIAL COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF

CHILDREN
Importance of Literature
Value
Cognitive Development
Child Development
Personality Development
Social Development
VALUE
One of the primary values of literature is pleasure. A book can
be used to escape or way to adventure. Enjoyment of books
by children develops favorable attitudes which extend to a
lifetime of appreciation.
 VALUE

Books are the major means

of transmitting our literacy
heritage from one generation
to the next. Activities like
reading to children, singing
songs and pointing to letters
in books as the book is read
prepare children for school
and encourage language
development.
VALUE
Literature plays a strong role in helping us understand and
value our cultural heritage. Development of positive attitudes
toward own culture and cultures of others is necessary for
social and personal development.
VALUE
Literature nurtures and expands the imagination. Children
are stimulated to tell or write own stories. Creative drama is
inspired by literature. Aesthetic development is stimulated by
literature.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Cognitive
development is
the changes which
occur in a childs
mental skills and
abilities over time.
Perception
Memory
Reasoning
Reflection
Insight
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Literature encourages oral exchange of ideas and development of
the thought process. Childrens Literature is especially effective
for developing basic operations associated with thinking.
Observing
Comparing
Classifying
Hypothesizing
Organizing
Summarizing
Applying
Criticizing
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Personality characteristics are the traits which give each

person a unique style of reacting to other people, place,
things and events. To acquire these traits children go through
many stages of personality development. Gradually children
learn to express emotions acceptability, experience empathy
towards others and develop feeling of self-esteem
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Erik Ericksons theory of personality development
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Personality development is
extremely important in children.
Children need to understand
themselves and believe they are
important. If children do not
value themselves how can they
value any one else? Many
literature selections reinforce
positive personality
development. Such experiences
include reading orally in a warm
and secure environment,
discussing and acting out
various roles from literature,
and simply enjoying a wide
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Socialization is the process by which
children acquire beliefs, values and
behaviors deemed significant and
appropriate by the older members of
society. Socialization serves society:
As a means of regulating childrens
behavior and controlling undesirable
or antisocial impulses
A way to promote the personal
growth of the individual
A means to perpetuate social order
Literature influences positive racial
and cultural attitudes
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Three processes influential in socialization of children

Reward or punishment by parents and other adults
reinforces socially acceptable attitudes and behaviors and
discourages socially unacceptable ones.
Observation of others teaches children the responses,
behaviors, and beliefs considered appropriate within culture
Identification, most important. Emotional ties with models.
Childrens thoughts, feelings and actions become similar to
people children believe are like them.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Literature helps children deal with problems:

Developing satisfactory relationships with family, friends, and
neighbors
Overcoming social problems such as fear
Various emotions related to friendship
Good manners and developing courteous behaviors
Social roles
Boys and girls can succeed in wide range of roles
Different views of the world
IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE
CITATIONS

Pictures found on Bing

Norton, D.E. (1983). Through the eyes of a child: An
Introduction to childrens literature. Columbus, OH C.E Merrill
Pub. Co. Pages 3-33.
STEP BY STEP PLAN
1. Read pages in book covering the importance of literature
2. Decide on doing a power point
3. Pick a power point which I feel has to do with books, literature
4. Type pages of power point based on notes from book
5. Pick out pictures to go with information
6. Make sure citations are added
7. Include step by step plan
8. Show power point to son to see what needs changed
9. Make noted changes