Informational essay
Why is Children’s Literature Important?
Today, children’s literature plays a major role in lives of children. Books, novels, short stories, and poems are many different forms of children’s literature used in classrooms today. “Children’s literature not only offers salient information but can also provide comfort within the lines of the print.” (Roberts, 2008, p.3) Introducing children’s literature to students at a young age is crucial. Not only does it help them develop cognitive skills to succeed in school or a work setting, but it can also provide them with comfort when struggling with difficult issues.
Children’s Literature has many different genres which can help children relate to different situations going on in their own lives. “It is essential for children to learn the coping skills needed to successfully handle the distress, frustration, and anger that are a part of daily life and to emerge with a sense of self-control, hope, and resilience.” (Roberts, 2008, p.2) Reading different genres of literature to children allows them to visualize themselves in a book which is extremely important for their success.
What is Divorce?
The term divorce refers to the separation of two married adults. Unfortunately, many students suffer with divorce or separation within their own families. “The incidence of divorce has become quite common in the United States with the number of children affected each year numbered in the millions. Approximately one out of five school-age children are living in single-parent homes.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Since there are many families suffering with divorce in the United States, teachers have the responsibility to help students understand this tough topic. When we teach our students about divorce, we are giving them the opportunity to grow. This is such an important topic to discuss with our students because one way or another, most students know someone who suffers with divorce, whether it be a family member or their friend’s families. Divorce is relevant to all children lives in some way, so it is extremely important for educators to read high-quality children’s literature to help children understand divorce and why it happens.
Using Children’s Literature to Talk about Divorce?
In many cases, divorce can be a rocky subject to bring up in the classroom. This is why it is important for educators to use children’s literature to talk about tough topics such as divorce. “Books are mirrors in which children can see themselves. When they are represented in the literature we read, they can see themselves as valuable and worthy of notice.” (Mankiw, 2013, p.2) Children usually feel alone when they are dealing with the negative emotions and the grieving process of divorce. “Even though separation and divorce sometimes bring relief from tension and strife, for many children the breakup brings more stress, pressure, and conflicting loyalties.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Often times, children believe they are the reason for their parent’s divorce. “Children who are very young at the time of divorce seem to suffer less. However, children from ages 6 through 8 often believe they caused the divorce. Those aged 9 through 12 often feel loss, rejection, shame, abandonment, and intense anger about their parents' separation.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Therefore, talking about divorce using high-quality children’s literature will not only help children understand their emotions, but will help them realize that they are not alone and there are many other students who suffer with divorce throughout their families
Sources:
Mankiw, S., & Strasser, J. (2013) Exploring sensitive issues with pre-k through first grade children through read-alouds. NAEYC Tender Topics.
Pardeck, J. T. (1996). Recommended books for helping children deal with separation and divorce. Adolescence, 31(121), 233-237.
Roberts, S. K., & Crawford, P. A. (2008). Real life calls for real books: literature to help children cope with family stressors. YC: Young Children, 63(5), 12-17.
Today, children’s literature plays a major role in lives of children. Books, novels, short stories, and poems are many different forms of children’s literature used in classrooms today. “Children’s literature not only offers salient information but can also provide comfort within the lines of the print.” (Roberts, 2008, p.3) Introducing children’s literature to students at a young age is crucial. Not only does it help them develop cognitive skills to succeed in school or a work setting, but it can also provide them with comfort when struggling with difficult issues.
Children’s Literature has many different genres which can help children relate to different situations going on in their own lives. “It is essential for children to learn the coping skills needed to successfully handle the distress, frustration, and anger that are a part of daily life and to emerge with a sense of self-control, hope, and resilience.” (Roberts, 2008, p.2) Reading different genres of literature to children allows them to visualize themselves in a book which is extremely important for their success.
What is Divorce?
The term divorce refers to the separation of two married adults. Unfortunately, many students suffer with divorce or separation within their own families. “The incidence of divorce has become quite common in the United States with the number of children affected each year numbered in the millions. Approximately one out of five school-age children are living in single-parent homes.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Since there are many families suffering with divorce in the United States, teachers have the responsibility to help students understand this tough topic. When we teach our students about divorce, we are giving them the opportunity to grow. This is such an important topic to discuss with our students because one way or another, most students know someone who suffers with divorce, whether it be a family member or their friend’s families. Divorce is relevant to all children lives in some way, so it is extremely important for educators to read high-quality children’s literature to help children understand divorce and why it happens.
Using Children’s Literature to Talk about Divorce?
In many cases, divorce can be a rocky subject to bring up in the classroom. This is why it is important for educators to use children’s literature to talk about tough topics such as divorce. “Books are mirrors in which children can see themselves. When they are represented in the literature we read, they can see themselves as valuable and worthy of notice.” (Mankiw, 2013, p.2) Children usually feel alone when they are dealing with the negative emotions and the grieving process of divorce. “Even though separation and divorce sometimes bring relief from tension and strife, for many children the breakup brings more stress, pressure, and conflicting loyalties.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Often times, children believe they are the reason for their parent’s divorce. “Children who are very young at the time of divorce seem to suffer less. However, children from ages 6 through 8 often believe they caused the divorce. Those aged 9 through 12 often feel loss, rejection, shame, abandonment, and intense anger about their parents' separation.” (Pardeck, 1996, p.1) Therefore, talking about divorce using high-quality children’s literature will not only help children understand their emotions, but will help them realize that they are not alone and there are many other students who suffer with divorce throughout their families
Sources:
Mankiw, S., & Strasser, J. (2013) Exploring sensitive issues with pre-k through first grade children through read-alouds. NAEYC Tender Topics.
Pardeck, J. T. (1996). Recommended books for helping children deal with separation and divorce. Adolescence, 31(121), 233-237.
Roberts, S. K., & Crawford, P. A. (2008). Real life calls for real books: literature to help children cope with family stressors. YC: Young Children, 63(5), 12-17.