![]() ![]() Being kind and forgiving is an important virtue. However, they did not harm the accused and later forgave her. A similar situation occurred with a bear family and they too were upset. Wouldn’t you be very angry and sad? Although you are right about feeling angry in such a situation, you should not harm the cat but rather forgive it. Kelly is Professor Emerita at the Department of Child and Adolescent Development at the California State University, Northridge, and is a representative of FICE-USA to FICE-International.Imagine your mother prepared your favourite food for lunch and while you were studying, a cat quietly crept in and ate away all your food. The reader is invited to make his or her own reflective journeys in remembering books that were enjoyed as children.Ĭarol S. Those of us who work with and for children might enjoy and benefit from reflecting upon books which had an impact and how that impact provided a foundation for some of our professional beliefs and priorities. Pondering the long-term impact of children’s literature (and this story in particular) underscores the value of reading books and storytelling to children – even in this technology-driven culture – perhaps especially in this culture. Sometimes the story in and of itself is enough. Using literature to convey morals, safety, and openness to inquiry are powerful realms of conveying important ideas and opening dialogue. This reflects my commitment to understanding and respecting other beings, including animals. The new ending proposed was that rather than running away, Goldilocks and the three bears became friends and she would visit them. A vivid memory of saying I had another ending to the story occurs. Reflecting upon this specific fairy tale, it seems that the declaration, “It is just right” by Goldilocks may have been an early awareness of, and commitment to, children’s needs being different from those of adults, that an environment appropriate for children is a right. The fascination of the tales sometime conveyed meanings not discussed and sometimes included significant conversations. With maturity and a deep love of children’s books, this and other fairy tales and hundreds of other books were read to younger siblings, to children when babysitting and to children in child care. When older, reading would be interrupted by questions such as, “Why was Goldilocks in the woods by herself? Where were the adults to keep her safe? Why would the bears leave their home for a walk with breakfast on the table? Why are bears living in a house?…they live in dens”. The reader is left to complete the story.Īt times, this story was read with no discussion. She also learns that she ventured into a place that is not safe or where she is afraid and manages to escape. ![]() To the very young child, the story conveys an adventuresome child exploring, discovering that while there are adult things which are not “just right” for children, there are things that are “just right” for a child. At this point Goldilocks awakens, sees the bears, and runs out of the house. Baby bear shouts, “Someone has been sleeping in my bed and there she is!”. Poppa bear observes that someone has been sleeping in his bed as does Momma bear. Papa bear utters “Someone has been sitting in my chair” followed by Mamma bear’s commenting, “Someone has been sitting in my chair.” Baby bear cries out, “Someone has been sitting in my chair and it’s all broken!” The three bears check the bedroom. Poppa bear says, “Someone has been eating my porridge.” Momma bear states, “Someone has been eating my porridge.” Baby bear declares, “Someone has been eating my porridge and ate it all up!” They check the living room. Finally, trying baby bear’s bed Goldilocks quickly learns that it “is just right”. She tries Mommy bear’s bed which is too soft. Lying down on Papa bear’s bed, she learns it is too hard. She enjoys sitting in this comfortable chair and the chair breaks. She sits in each chair and discovers that Poppa bear’s chair is too hard, Momma bear’s chair is too soft, and baby bear’s chair “is just right”. Goldilocks finds three chairs in the living room. Poppa bear’s porridge is too hot, Momma bear’s porridge is too cold, and baby bear’s porridge “is just right”. She discovers three bowls of porridge on the table. To a very small child, a little girl explores a bear‘s family’s home. Upon pondering, the fairy tale becomes complex and meaningful memories emerge. Reflecting on this tale, it first appears to be simple. A favorite was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Like most small children I was introduced to fairy tales, which were spell-binding and significant for both known and unknown reasons at many levels. Being tucked safely into bed and having mom read before sleeping was a treasured evening ritual which set a foundation for a love of books and storey telling.
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