Literature and the Development of Caring

Assumptions

• People have a transaction with literature.
• The better the literature the better the transaction.
• Literature transactions can help people understand how different actions affect other people.
• Young children are more egocentric in their view of the world.
• As children develop they move from an egocentric view of the world to one in which they understand that other people may have views and feelings different from theirs.
• Children’s thinking changes from a classification of everything as right and wrong to one of right, wrong, and for somethings it depends.
• Children develop in their ability to understand that actions have consequences and the choices when making decisions are many times complex.
• Quality literature can be a view into how other people make decisions and the consequences which result from those decisions.
• Quality literature can increase communication about values.
• Peoples’ experiences with literature can positively affect people to make decisions that demonstrate a caring relationship.
• Moral development is a continuous process that needs attention through all grades and beyond.

Robert Sweetland's Notes ©