The Positive Effects of Picture Books Providing Acceptance of Diversity in Social Studies and Increased Literacy in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Early childhood education prepares young children for schooling from the moment they are born. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers take in new concepts and ideas every single day. They absorb information in their growing minds inside and outside of the classroom. Parents are a child’s first teacher and set the stage for their schooling years. While spending time in the classroom, children benefit from academic achievement as well as socialization and interactions with peers and adults. Children learn how to communicate and spend time with others as well as gain knowledge and experience through academics. The early childhood classroom is a positive and beneficial place for young learners. Children learn from a variety of subject areas in early childhood education. A huge piece to the curriculum that enhances student learning, motivation, engagement and understanding are picture books. Children of all ages can enjoy and listen to picture books and as they expand in the classroom, children can even read and create picture books on their own. Picture books can be used to begin a new topic, revisit old topics, connect with other books, engage with higher level thinking and questioning, talk about difficult topics, and introduce emergent readers and writers to literacy as well as the reading and writing process. Picture books benefit each subject area and are a necessity in the early childhood classroom. Every classroom and library should be stocked with a large variety of picture books to benefit not only the subject areas, but also the diverse students in today’s classes.