Picture Books Contribute to a Child's Learning

     Currently, in EDU 307, our class is working on a paper and a short story for Reader's workshop. One of categories, in which we can write our stories in relation to, are picture books. Pictures books are a great way for students to develop social study concepts. An article written by Pamela J. Farris and Carol J. Fuhler, "Developing social studies concepts through picture books," explains how picture books are important to a child's learning. Unfortunately, picture books are relied on for teachers who have a classroom of young students. Picture books typically aren't use for older children. However, picture books can easily help a child develop social study concepts.
     Images are useful for young children's education because they are able to picture the scenario in their own minds. The article states, "First, they can add depth to a specific topic by providing detailed information that is often missing from textbooks." Picture books allow children to explore their imaginations. When they are able to see images, they are able to gain a better knowledge of an event, instead of just reading about that event in a text book.
 Furthermore, the article states, "Second, picture books also lend themselves to presenting sometimes difficult or sensitive concepts to children in a palatable manner." For example, a book about a man who was enslaved, can be easily presented to children. Along with addressing slavery, picture books can create images of characters, settings, and even inventions that were created by men such as Elijah McCoy. This way, the students are being educated on all aspects of a person's life in an educational and interesting manner.

     This article contains several other points that highlight the importance of using picture books when teaching. In my own classroom, I would definitely include picture books for my students to use. During at least one literacy block per week, I would have my students only choose from picture books. I think picture books are important to a student's learning because these books use images to represent text. Also, I think that picture books help students explore their imaginations. Overall, picture books should be included in every teacher's classroom to help children learn.