Why are social stories and biographies so important for our children to study? One word----Empathy---- Our children do not have empathy as much as yesterday’s. Today we have tv, telephones, computers, and just about any technological advice imaginable. Technology is useful but it is impersonal. Before this “wonderful” technology, children were raised on being entertained by “grandpa and grandma’s or mom and dad’s” stories. These stories taught of struggles, and overcoming these struggles, circumstances, personalities etc., just on a more personal level than social stories in the classroom. Our classroom social stories focus on struggles, diversities, and personalities. Biographies tell of a person’s life, struggles, and overcoming these struggles. The stories of old, social stories, and biographies play a major role in teaching empathy. Empathy is crucial to a developing child that will one day face a world of diversity. When we think of teaching, we think reading, math, social studies, and science. We don’t often think character and emotional wellbeing. As parents, educators, or administrators, it is imperative that we understand we are teaching the whole child, not just a portion of a brain.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:34:33 +0000