Writing Letters to Characters in Bullying-Themed Stories: Approach to Preventing Bullying in Early Childhood

• In Event: 81.029 - Young Children's Cognitive and Social-Emotional Development

Abstract

This study explores how young children respond to bully-related stories, what and how they express in letters to characters from the story, and how their attitudes and understanding toward bullying change through a series of reading, discussing and writing about bullying. Using a qualitative study approach, this study was conducted in a classroom of 20 five-year-old children in a metropolitan city in Korea. The children were involved in a large group reading about bullying (a total of 7 books) and letter writing activities led by their teacher. Findings show that literacy activities on bullying helped children recognize the issues relating to bullying, enhance children’s prosocial attitudes, understand diversity, and solve the problem and suggest alternatives.

Author

• Su-Jeong Wee, California State University - Los Angeles