Choosing Books that Impact Children’s Behaviour
Parenting is a rollercoaster of navigating those moments when our kids throw us curveballs with actions that might not align with what's considered "right" or "socially acceptable." As parents, our ultimate goal is to equip them with prosocial skills, ensuring they feel accepted, included, and loved. Enter the world of parenting resources, and what often comes to our rescue? Books! 📚
But let's get real - which books truly become the guiding stars, imparting those essential prosocial behaviors and life lessons to our little ones? Let's dive into a recent study on what books ACTUALLY help teach our children about life.
A 2017 study by Nicole E. Larsen, Kang Lee, Patricia A. Ganea explored the influence of storybooks featuring anthropomorphized animal characters on prosocial behaviors in young children. It found that such books increased empathy, modeled positive behaviors, and fostered a sense of connection. However, the summary suggests that storybooks with realistic human characters are MORE beneficial in promoting prosocial behaviors. Realistic human characters were found to enhance empathy, provide relatable models for positive actions, and cultivate a stronger sense of connection and relatability, making them more effective in shaping children's social development.
Anthropomorphism in Storybooks:
Anthropomorphism, the endearing practice of attributing human characteristics to animals or objects, has been a staple in children's literature for generations. The study we're examining here investigated whether these whimsical tales featuring talking animals could indeed encourage prosocial behaviors like kindness, sharing, and empathy in our little ones.
Key Findings of the Study:
Increased Empathy: The study revealed that storybooks with anthropomorphized animal characters did contribute to heightened empathy in children. Seeing animals navigate emotions seemed to resonate with young readers, fostering a deeper understanding of others' feelings.
Modeling Positive Behaviors: Anthropomorphized characters served as models for positive actions, encouraging children to emulate these behaviors in their own lives. The stories became a source of inspiration for sharing, cooperation, and other prosocial actions.
Fostering a Sense of Connection: Children exhibited a sense of connection to these endearing characters, resulting in an increased inclination towards prosocial behaviors. The relatability of animal characters created a bridge that motivated children to engage in actions that benefited others.
Wait a minute….so books with the cute animal characters work?
Yes, but…
The Power of Realistic Human Characters:
While the study sheds light on the positive impact of anthropomorphized animal characters, our exploration goes a step further. At Real Life Pages, we advocate for the unique benefits of stories featuring realistic human characters.
Enhanced Empathy: Realistic human characters were found to enhance children's empathy even further. The relatability of human experiences provided a deeper connection, fostering a profound understanding of the complexities of human emotions.
Real-life Modeling of Positive Behavior: Human characters became relatable models for positive actions, reinforcing prosocial behaviors such as cooperation, sharing, and empathy. The authentic portrayal of human experiences offered a mirror for children to reflect on their own actions.
Cultivating Connection and Relatability: The study highlighted that children demonstrated an even stronger sense of connection to realistic human characters. The relatability of human experiences created a significant motivating factor for children to engage in actions that benefit others.
So…what books do I buy?
In navigating the enchanting world of children's literature, we recognize the powerful role that stories play in shaping young minds. While anthropomorphized animal characters certainly have their charm and positive impact, our exploration suggests that realistic human characters offer unique and significant benefits.
As parents, we recognized this within our own children. Thus the creation of Real Life Pages - to curate stories that not only captivate young readers but also contribute meaningfully to their social and emotional development.
Let's keep riding this parenting wave through the wonderful world of books, empowering our little readers to grow into compassionate souls who add their special touch to this crazy, beautiful world.
Thanks for reading!
XO Real Life Pages
