CHILDREN

AND
ADOLESCENT
LITERATURE
WHAT IS CHILDREN’S LITERATURE?

– the body of written works and accompanying

illustrations produced in order to entertain or instruct
young people. The genre encompasses a wide range of
works, including acknowledged classics of
world literature, picture books and easy-to-read stories
written exclusively for children, and fairy tales, lullabies,
fables, folk songs, and other primarily orally transmitted
materials.
– Children’s literature first clearly emerged as a distinct
and independent form of literature in the second half of
the 18th century, before which it had been at best only
in an embryonic stage. During the 20th century, however,
its growth has been so luxuriant as to make defensible its
claim to be regarded with the respect—though perhaps
not the solemnity—that is due any other recognized
branch of literature.
WHAT IS ADOLESCENT/YOUNG
ADULT LITERATURE?

– is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the
genre is targeted to teenagers, approximately half of YA readers are adults.
– The subject matter and genres of YA correlate with the age and experience of
the protagonist. The genres available in YA are expansive and include most of
those found in adult fiction. Common themes related to YA include friendship,
first love, relationships, and identity. Stories that focus on the specific
challenges of youth are sometimes referred to as problem novels or coming-of-
age novels.
– Young adult fiction was developed to soften the transition between children's
novels and adult literature.
Why is the study of literature important? What
skills do students learn through reading literature?
When we study literature, our horizons are broadened, because we
can learn about and come to understand people who are different
from us. Conversely, we might discover characters or poems that we
really identify with—it can be really exciting and validating to
discover that your exact thoughts and feelings have also been
experienced by someone else. Because of these effects, literature
encourages us to be sensitive to the whole spectrum of human
experience and to consider this when making decisions in our day-to-
day lives. Academically, studying literature also helps us to refine our
own writing skills and expand our vocabularies.
Literature is a gateway to understanding of all
sorts. Primarily, it can be a gateway into
different cultural, historical, and
contemporary ideologies.
Practically speaking, you will better understand yourself
and others through literature. You may also see that
humanity is not so different around the globe, and start to
make the connections between the powers of stories as
they forge identity.
It could also be said that we live our lives through narrative
alone. That the phenomenological world we experience is
translate to literature.
Literature allows us to experience things we would never
be able to experience otherwise. We grow and learn
through these experiences. Whether that is immersing
oneself in a magical world of wonder and excitement to
experience good, evil, friendship, and the power of
friendship in a refined way.
Grant Goodrich, Headmaster at Great Hearts Academies
(2010-present)
Well, broadly speaking, literature teaches students how to
really think. Combined with a bit of theory and a critical lens,
students are forced to look at stories from their own perspective.
There are truly no other subjects I can think of that allow you
produce your own interpretation of something and, as long as it is
backed by textual evidence, have it be correct. Doing so allows
students to broaden their minds and think beyond formula and think
beyond memorized cycles and processes. That's the beauty of
studying it!
Finnick Odeair
One of the most important skills children
learn through literature is how to react to
different situations. Reading allows children
to experience situations vicariously, and think
about what they would do in the character's
place.
The study of literature enhances our ability to
communicate with others by acquainting us
with the worlds other people live in, their
history, geography, and culture, for
example. Once we have a common reference,
we can talk to anyone with greater ease.
The study of literature is important because it, at its most
basic, improves reading skills. From this involved reading of
quality literature a student then develops their writing
skills, as the two go hand in hand (the best writers are avid
readers, typically). Beyond these basic benefits is the
development of critical thinking and analysis skills through
the study of literature.
THANK YOU! 
Discuss the following:
1. As education student, do you consider your environment at
home in shaping your attitude towards literature? Why or why
not?
2. What do you think is/are the reasons why Philippine Literature
is included in the curriculum of higher institution? Discuss your
answer.
3. Few years from now you will become a language teacher, how
would encourage your students to love literature especially those
students who are not fun of reading? Discuss your answer.