A shy, barely five-year-old girl arrived at school carrying a big box of crayons “with the points still on.” One of her classmates offered to swap them for her set of markers and the proud crayon owner agreed, only to discover that most of the markers were completely dried up. After some tears and considerable negotiation, their teacher set things right.
At story time that day, she shared the picture book classic A Bargain for Frances, by Russell Hoban (HarperCollins, 1978). Although the characters in the story are badgers, and the bad-trade item was a broken tea set, the message about fair play was not missed by the children. They criticized the tricky character in the book for being “mean,” “sneaky,” “not nice,” and “a cheater.” The book was instrumental in teaching a subtle yet significant life lesson to the entire class.
Children’s lives are infused with stories at home, at school or the library, and in the media. How can we harness the power of literature and use it to develop positive character traits in young children?
The Story’s the Thing
Storytelling is a fundamental way in which human beings process and share events as well as the feelings surrounding those experiences. The human brain is a remarkable processor of stories, both real and imaginary. Whether it’s stories about our families, teachers’ stories that capture the wisdom of the profession, or the tales we communicate to children, stories encapsulate life’s memorable moments and enduring lessons. The ability to create, share, and respond to stories is one of our defining characteristics as human beings.
High-quality picture books are the perfect teaching tool because they deal with powerful emotions, model effective coping strategies, and present complex concepts in developmentally effective ways that even the youngest child can understand. The picture book complements words with what brain research tells us leaves the most indelible impression: powerful visual images.
