Self and Story in Early Childhood: Children’s Developing Minds Revealed by Parent-led Research
Full reference: Boyd, W. (2023). Book Review: Self and story in early childhood: Children’s developing minds revealed by parent-led research. NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 25, pp. 71.
Self and Story in Early Childhood: Children’s Developing Minds Revealed by Parent-led Research
by Hugh Crago
Reviewed by Wendy Boyd
Hugh Crago’s book provides thoughtful insight into children’s development and learning in respect to stories.
Using parent-led research Hugh leads the reader into considering what exactly are stories and how do they impact children’s learning and development. Early in the book Hugh describes how stories affect the two hemispheres of the brain explaining how each side of the brain has different functions and responses to the environment.
As Hugh asks in the book’s opening: What do children make of the stories we offer them? What do they think and feel as they listen to a parent read a picture-book? And what if a story confuses them or upsets them?
As early childhood educators and/or parents these are important questions that we need to consider when choosing books to share with children. Hugh’s book proceeds to consider the behaviour of the reader when making decisions about books for children. Who the reader is with their relationship with the child, how the reader responds to children’s interest in the book, and what impact the parent/reader has upon the child’s understanding of the book are all covered. As parents seek to develop strong attachments with their children, books too invite the reader and listener into the story.
Using case studies with differently aged children Hugh then takes the reader on the journey of specific children and their responses to stories. The first case study centres on Naomi’s development with story from four to 24 months; followed by Jeanette’s learning with story from two to three and a half years. The third case study is that of Leigh in what Hugh describes as ‘the magic year’ from three and a half to four and a half. Two brothers Dave and Sam are the next focus on their love of story from four and a half to six years. In this way Hugh transports the reader through the parent child interactions with stories as the focal point.
More than half of the mothers who kept records of their children’s response to picture and story books were New Zealanders or Australians, and Self and Story in Early Childhood quotes the exact words of some twenty different children, with seven quoted many times. Some of their comments and questions may surprise even educators!
This book is highly recommended for early childhood educators and parents to delve deeply into the reader’s role when sharing books/stories with young children.
Book’s details
Self and Story in Early Childhood: Children’s Developing Minds Revealed by Parent-led Research by Hugh Cargo. Published in 2023. Publisher: Routledge.
ISBN: 9781032014623
Boyd, W. (2023). Book Review: Self and story in early childhood: Children’s developing minds revealed by parent-led research. NZ International Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 25, pp. 71.
