Chapter 1 and Values

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter one is about how literature promotes values, and development in children. The chapter also talks about how children response to literature. It notes that books are the major form of how we can pass on our literary heritage from one generation to the next. Literature can attract, motivate, instruct, and bring hours of endless adventure for children. The love of literature should begin at a young age in order to promote early literacy. Literature can also develop emotional intelligence as noted by Daniel Golman (1995); it can promote: self awareness, manage emotions, handle anxiety, motivates oneself, and sensitivity towards others. The chapter also notes that children develop in stages, and do so at different times. The indentified stages include language, cognitive, personality and social development. The chapter gives a brief description of each stage including the age, characteristics along with teaching recommendations, and literature suggestions for each stage. The chapter also illustrates great pictures of books, along with a brief understanding of how it can be used.

What is a value?
I define value as a quality a person cherishes, accepts, and respects. A value is something a person believes in, and is acquired through out a person’s life. I think a person’s core value foundation starts at home, but ultimately is or can be influenced by society, and consequently can change what a person defines as being valuable to them.

What value is most important to me and why?
The value that is most important to me is religion and faith. Why? Because I think my faith in God is what has directed my path in life. Although, my life has, and probably will encounter many more struggles, challenges and joy, my faith is what I believe will carry me through the hard and good times. I believe a good religion/ faith foundation will in turn establish many great values in a person; respect, love loyalty, family, honesty, justice and trustworthiness.

Where did you learn this value?
I learned this value of faith and religion at home and through the trust in God. Though I do not remember going to church much as a young child, the presence of faith and God were always instilled in me in various ways as a young child.

Can you teach this value? How? Do You?
Yes, I believe you can teach the value of faith and religion to your own children, and guide them to live a healthy safe fulfilling life. How, do I teach this value: I teach it thorough modeling, believing, praying, and always mentioning my faith in a higher being to my children. I believe the value of faith and religion should be taught at home, and church, and I as a classroom teacher accept, and respect your student’s religious beliefs while keeping your own out of the classroom.