Have you ever cried over a protagonist being inflicted with several unfortunate events? Did you take pity on the poor child in the story you are reading? If your answer in these two questions is yes that means you have shown empathy on these characters. Diverse story characters and background can actually teach us empathy. Exposing our children to these diverse backgrounds such as economic status, ethnicity, gender and ability cultivates in them a strong compassion and sensitivity towards others.
A study conducted showed that only 18% of books available included non-white characters. Animal characters made up around half the books available and largely led “human” lives, adhering to the values of middle-class Caucasians.
The University of Sydney believes that it is important to expose our children to diverse characters and stories in order for them to see the world not just as a fairy tale but as real and complex world. This could mean that there are sad endings and lead characters shows flaws and unique traits.
Here are some of the stories that we can share to our children to widen their perspective and to teacher them empathy.
Characters from other cultures
That’s not a daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey (2012) is a story about a young boy’s (Tom) relationship with his neighbour, Mr Yilmaz, who comes from Turkey. Together, Tom and Mr Yilmaz plant, nurture and watch a seed grow into a beautiful daffodil.
Characters from rural area
All I Want for Christmas is Rain, by Cori Brooke and Megan Forward (2017), depicts scenery and characters from regional or rural Australia. The story centres on the little girl Jane’s experience of severe drought on the farm. The story can encourage students’ discussion of sustainability.
Gender non-conforming characters
Granny Grommet and Me, by Dianne Wolfer and Karen Blair (2014), is full of beautiful illustrations of the Australian beach and surfing grannies. Told from the first-person point of view, it documents the narrator’s experiences of going snorkelling, surfing and rockpool swimming with granny and her grommet (amateur surfer) friends. This gender-neutral representation of the character does not reduce the pleasure of reading this book. And it shows we can minimise attributes that symbolise stereotypes such as clothing, other accessories and naming.
Characters living with a disability
Boy, by Phil Cummings and Shane Devries (2018), is a story about a boy who is Deaf. He uses sign language to communicate but people who live in the same village rarely understand him. That is, until he steps into the middle of a war between the king and the dragon that frightens the villagers. He resolves the conflict using his unique communication style and the villagers resolve to learn to communicate better with him by learning his language.
By: Mary Joy S. Dela Cruz | Teacher III | Boton Elementary School
