| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 幼兒教育學系研究所 === 100 === This research explores the influence reading picture books has on the development of the self-concept in early childhood. A textual analysis was carried out on a number of Chinese-language picture books, including I Don’t Want to Grow Up, Piecing Together the Chameleon, and A Fish Is Just a Fish. In-depth interviews were then conducted with children in the final year of kindergarten to determine how their self-concept was affected by reading these books. The main findings were as follows:
I. The overall views of the participants
1. The participants enjoyed reading the picture books because they were found to be both
interesting and amusing.
2. The participants expressed a sense of approval and identification with the positive
self-concepts presented in the books.
3. The stories in the picture books helped to enhance the self-esteem of the participants.
II. Responses to the individual themes of the books
1. The participants had a clear understanding of the meaning of self-concept and the
importance of self-esteem.
2. The interpretations provided by the participants demonstrated a positive view of self-esteem.
3. The participants were able to explain self-concept on both the psychological and physiological levels.
4. The participants were able to explain self-concept with respect to both personal experience and their own feelings.
III. Responses to the characters in the books
1. The behavior of the characters in the books helped to enhance the participants’ self-awareness and self-acceptance.
2. The participants were able to express their views about the characters’ behavior and evaluate the mistakes made by the characters.
3. The participants identified with the virtuous and socially appropriate behavior of the characters in the picture books.
IV. Responses to the plots in the books
1. The participants were highly interested in the plots and demonstrated a high degree of
imaginative ability.
2. With respect to the elements of the plots related to self-concept, the participants were able to express a clear sense of empathy.
3. With respect to the elements of the plots related to self-concept, the participants had differing points of view, mainly due to environmental and interpersonal factors.
4. Most of the participants liked stories with a happy ending, and their responses to the
conclusions demonstrated their personal expectations for the future.
V. Responses to the illustrations in the books
1. The participants liked attractive and interesting illustrations the most, and expressed approval for and identification with the positive values expressed in them.
2. The participants found the fantastic and exaggerated bodies, movements, and expressions of the characters highly interesting, and these are what they frequently referred to when explaining their views of the stories.
3. The participants demonstrated a high level of sensitivity to the moods and color schemes in the picture books.
4. The participants demonstrated a detailed appreciation of the illustrations, as well as a strong ability to identify various items hidden inside the illustrations.
Finally, a number of suggestions are provided for the benefit of teachers, parents, writers, illustrators, and researchers.
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