How To Apply Theoretical Models To Children's Literature

Applying Theoretical Models to Children's Literature
Derrick Jones
ENG/290
March 14, 2012
Dr. Geraldine Smith

Theories of Children's Literature
Without a doubt, there are different theoretical models of childhood development that exist in children’s literature. Children’s literature has been used as a tool to help children identify with the world that they live in. Different philosophers believed that a child’s development occurs in stages and that each stage presented a new challenge for the child. Children’s literature, such as Harold and the Purple Crayon, when effectively used, is a tool that parents may use to help children identify with the stage of development that the child may be going through. The author Owocki (2001) is quoted
Their attention span increases and they become more interested in the people that they encounter on a daily basis. Literature that has multiple chapters and historical information are books that may interest children in this period. The children’s logical thinking ability leads them to search for answers to questions that involve issues of the past. Children also learn to use information from the past to help with situations that may affect the present and future. This is the period that will prepare the child for the final and arguably the most important period that they will have to
Children’s literary books like Harold and the Purple Crayon follow the theoretical model of Piaget. In the story, Harold is a protagonist that has a very intuitive imagination. Several literary books for this age group follow this format. The book follows the story of a four year old boy who has the power to create a world of his own with his purple crayon. The story takes readers through the adventure with the child by exploring the world through the eyes of the child. The book follows the same stages that Piaget stated that four year olds experience during the preoperational period. Harold’s intuitive nature leads him on a quest to that takes him through various stages of his imagination. His imagination not only leads to pleasant situations, but he also has to deal with fear and danger. His ability to use his imagination is a reflection of how children in the preoperational period deal with situations that are difficult to four year olds. Harold eventually reaches his goal and conquers all of his