Chapter 1

This is my summary of Chapter 1.
Through books children discover enjoyment. Books relay heritage from generation to generation. Books provide not only historical fiction, but science fiction, contemporary reading, information, biographies, photographs, realities, concepts and poetry. Reading can develop five areas of emotional intelligence: 1) self awareness, 2) managing emotions, 3) handling anxiety, 4) motivation and 5) sensitivity. It has been determined that literature has profound influences o a child's language development. Those with higher language proficiency are more in control of their ideas, showing unity and planning both in their reading and writing capabilities. Words are not the only means of communicating through books. Wordless books are extremely stimulating for oral and written language. Texts do vary greatly depending on their language. Similes, vivid language and metaphors are a few ways reading is enhanced. Children's literature is an introduction for developing basic operations required for thinking which are: 1) observing, 2) comparing, 3) classifying, 4) hypothesizing, 5) organizing, 6) summarizing, 7) applying and 8) criticizing. Through reading, children develop their stages of personality while developing their self esteem. Literature reinforces to children that their feelings are common. It explores from several viewpoints. It displays various emotions and how they can be dealt with. Literature points out that a persons emotions may be conflicting. Through reading, readers can develop socially. Three types of social development are 1) regulating behavior, 2) promoting personal growth, and 3) perpetuating social order. There are several factors involved in literature responses. Those factors are: 1) factors within readers, 2) factors within texts, 3) factors within contexts, 4) responses, 5) analyzing responses, and 6) motivation. These factors are responsible for increasing or decreasing interest, engagement and critical thinking. Overall, literature can instill values for children. It can be provocative in child development and it can enhance children's responses to every day life.

To me a value is considered a characteristic that people hold in high esteem. I consider respect to be the most valuable characteristic. I believe that through respect, people incorporate other aspects such as patience, understanding, steadfastness, family, religious recognition, politeness, trustworthiness, morals, etc. I learned this value over the years. It possibly originated with my family, but it has grown to incorporate other influences that I've been exposed to over the period of my lifetime. I truly believe that this value can be taught through example, expressions, personality and through direct verbal introduction. I most definitely try to teach this value with the way I carry myself, the speech I choose to use or not use, the locations I frequent, the stickers I do or do not have on my car, or even the clothes that I do or do not wear. I feel it is easily taught on a daily basis for those that may literally be recipients of the influence or not.



Life is not what happens to you,
but how you react to it....
for what caused you to react will
surely pass,
but how you continue to react can
only be passed by you.