Chapter 1: Why Do We Share Literature with Children?

There are several reasons we share literature with kids. "If we aren't sharing our heart of reading with kids, then what are we doing?"

It's fun and we want to share things that we enjoy so that others can enjoy them too.  Reading aids in language acquisition and development.  Reading just 20 minutes a day boosts vocabulary.  Vocabulary makes huge leaps before age 5, so reading early is IMPORTANT!  Reading also increases vocabulary in a natural way, so there's no need to drill and kill.  Reading also develops empathy.  Empathy is stronger than sympathy- reading helps us create bonds.  Reading can help to create empathy for experiences we haven't had ourselves, but that we read about with characters in books.  Sharing literature with children supports life-long readers.  "Unconscious delight" series reading and serial reading are ways you can help grow readers and help point them in what to read next, if they are stuck or wondering around the library.  Reading autobiographically (mirror) is reading about people like us, which is important because we need to find books that show kids themselves.  Sharing literature can show kids they can read for vicarious experiences (window).  Kids can experience things without having to actually do them (like consequences).  They can also experience other cultures or interests.  Sharing literature helps kids read for philosophical speculation.  They can read to try to form opinions on things that are big in their lives (ethics, religion...), get different points of view, could even answer questions about ourselves (Who am I?  Why am I this way?  What's my place?).  We share for aesthetic experiences- read for the pleasure of reading and read to make associations, relating, imagining, judging.  When we share literature, we help develop imagination because reading makes you ask "what would happen if."  Sharing literature also transmits culture- many cultures.  We want diverse books in our libraries, and not just during certain holidays and celebrations- year round!  All students need to feel included.

Reading can do a lot for someone- it can be enlightening, encouraging, educational, entertaining, and freeing.  Young adults are in such an awkward and strange stage of life- there are so many questions, so many feelings, and so many emotions.  Reading can lead to an escape for some young adults, or it could lead to them feeling understood because they read about characters that are similar to them.  I love the power that books have and I think because of all the reasons discussed in the slides, and just from my personal experience with reading, I can't wait to help get books in kids' hands so they can feel all these feels.