Literature-Based Moral Education: Children’s Books and Activities for Teaching Values, Responsibilities and Good Judgement in the Elementary School

All forms of children’s literature contain moral and ethical views and values. For educators, librarians, counsellors and parents, Literature-based Moral Education: Children’s Books and Activities for Teaching Values, Responsibility, and Good Judgment in the Elementary School discusses nine values important in a child’s moral development, and integrates learning ideas and activities for classroom, library, or home use within reviews of children’s books that deal with each of the issues covered. In Chapter 1, the authors address what is now known about children’s social and moral development and defines the three stages of development. Chapter 2 relates moral and value development to children’s literature, and presents techniques in generating responses to the literature. Chapter 3 details strategies that can be employed in using children’s literature as a basis for moral development. The remaining chapters individually cover nine values: self-esteem, responsibility, sharing, truthfulness, solving conflicts peacefully, respecting and appreciating others, ecological values, diligence, perserverance, and patience and unconditional love. Each chapter is divided into four sections - Rationale (why the value is important to children’s moral education), Classroom Vignette (citing actual examples from classrooms, guidance sessions, and library programs), Book Reviews and Curricular Extensions and Summary .