An investigation of children's literature: history, goals and purposes, activities and experiences, and criteria for the evaluation and development of a children's literature program

Includes bibliographical references (pages 184-186)The purpose of the present study was to review the\ud available literature pertaining to children's literature,\ud in order: 1) to describe in detail the history of children's\ud literature; 2) to describe the goals and purposes of\ud a literature program for children; 3) to establish criteria\ud for educators and parents to use in either establishing\ud their own literature program or evaluating an existing one;\ud and 4) to describe specific activities which enhance a\ud children's literature program. The review of the literature revealed that the general\ud condition of children's literature has improved in untold\ud amounts dating from the early 16th century and before. The\ud literature further revealed that with the great wealth of\ud literature available for children today, it remains only\ud for the teacher to identify the specific goals and purposes\ud of his or her own educational program and then seek out and\ud identify the appropriate pieces of literature to meet each\ud goal. The review of the literature also indicated that\ud through careful, discriminating evaluation of the literature\ud for children and the subsequent selection of the\ud "right" materials, a well-developed, well-balanced and\ud meaningful literature program for children can be created.\ud The literature further indicated that there is infinitely\ud more than one means of presenting literature effectively\ud to children. Each leader must carefully assess all\ud persons who are to be involved in the program and all the\ud means available for the implementation of the program.\ud Based on this assessment, the proper activities and means\ud of presentation can be established.\ud This s??tudy concludes that literature can and should be\ud a vital, essential element of the elementary school curriculum.\ud It can be instrumental in the teaching of listening\ud and auditory discrimination skills. It can help develop\ud comprehension and interpretation skills. It can aid in the development of and appreciation for fine language. Above\ud all, a well-developed children's literature program can lay\ud the foundation for a lifetime love for reading and books