LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

language
level &
potential

moral
values

visual
features

Selection
Criteria of
Texts for
Young
Learners

cultural
content /
suitability

interest

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

The length and complexity of the story. Simple, short stories with
repetitive language work best for young learners.

Does the book look overwhelming? Type that is too small, or too
many words on a page, can intimidate young students.

The level of vocabulary. How much of it will be review for your

students? If students know less than 75% - 80% of the vocabulary,
they may lose confidence in their ability to understand the story.

REMEMBER!!!
You cannot start with difficult texts that require frequent
reference to the dictionary.
It will become tedious & boring for the children.
Select materials that they can easily comprehend and enjoy.
Select simple readable texts that would help develop their
vocabulary and power of expression

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

A drawing or picture in a
book, magazine, etc.
especially one that explains
something.
Story, an event or an
example that clearly shows
the truth about something.

ILLUSTRATIO
NS

Children's books are often

illustrated.
Illustrations should be
interesting and should help
students understand both the
vocabulary and the story.
Good illustrations can
contribute to the overall
development of the child by
stimulating his imagination,
arousing his perception,
developing his potential.

COLOURS,
FONTS &
LAYOUTS

bright colours may appeal to

children & promise excitement.
Fonts should be big, easy for children
to read and the layout should not be
too complicated.

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

The first is whether the heroes are children.

The second is whether the themes

i.e. the ideas, and relationships as well as
language are simple and suitable for
children's enjoyment.

Portrays them candidly and in a medium to which

they can respond with imagination and pleasure.
Children's literature is produced largely with a
child's interest and needs in mind, one that deals
honestly with children.

A writer of children's literature is always aware of

the mind, psychology and understanding of the child.
He recognizes the differences in the children's
psychology, needs understanding and interests of
the various developmental levels.

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

It is possible to convey to children very vividly events and

situations in the past:
the sort of clothes that children who lived long ago wore,
the kinds of houses they lived in, the kinds of food they ate and
the types of kitchens and utensils that produced such food,
the sort of games they played, and the occupations of people in
ancient times.

A writer recognizes the differences in the children's

psychology, needs understanding and interests of the
various developmental levels.

criterion of
suitabilityThis
poses
the question:
means
the suitability
How do The
the literature
theme
and treatment of ideas,
or the appropriateness of
characters and plot and the
the literature
level of language suit the child's
(novel, short stories,
or children's maturity and
drama,
folk tales, legends,
interests, personal problems,
myths)
social situations, creative
to the child
abilities, understanding,
responses and feelings?
or children.

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

Children present different levels of development, maturity and

interest as well as different relations to the written language
of:

7- 9
YEA
RS
1218
YEA
RS

the child's mind is not

just impressionable
but also stores
experiences capable
of building up
associations when
properly stimulated.

as the child
approaches
adulthood, his
psychology,
understanding and
interest become
mature and
distinctive more
than his linguistic
skills and conceptual
powers have by now
developed sufficiently
to enable him derive
aesthetic pleasure
from his literature
reading.
aesthetic =concerned
with beauty or the
appreciation of
beauty

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

Moral values play dominant role in moulding the attitude and

approaches of children in their life. Therefore, implanting these
values in the minds of the children is vital and it is easily possible if
told through stories interestingly and attractively.

THE CRITERIA OF MORAL VALUES IN THE TEXT FOR YOUNG

LEARNER

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

Vivian Kwon TESL 4

It gives positive effect on the

development process for a child

It should not have mere entertainment

value.

It should also have information and

reality values.

The child's attitude and approaches in

his/her life depends on these values.

The best age to embed in the child's

mind is between 5 and 12 years.

Sixteen good moral values infused into the curriculum of

moral education.
compassion
self-reliance
respect
love
Freedom

LGA 3101 Childrens Literature

courage
physical cleanliness
mental cleanliness
co-operation
diligence
moderation
gratitude
rationality
humility

honesty

justice

Vivian Kwon TESL 4