Children’s literature is literature specifically written for children. This could be poetry, short stories, flash fiction, articles and every other possible genre. In writing Children’s Literature, the thematic approach is one of the most vital aspects.
In Africa, Children’s Literature isn’t as famous as the other genres. The appreciation for Children’s Literature in Africa is at a low due to the lack of ideas or books that parents feel are good learning materials for their children.
Most things children learn at a young age stay with them for the long run therefore we need to promote a learning habit in our children. What better way to promote said habit than to create good Children Literature that will be easily accessible to children? So, if you are a writer and enthused to see Children’s Literature grow, but you lack the ideas on what to write on, the following themes will help you.
The possibilities of Technology
Since the early ages, we have had books, dramas, artworks, and ideas that have spoken about the possibility of an “easier” future; because let’s admit it, technology makes life easy. American Inventor, Simon Lake, was inspired by “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea” to create the first successful open-water submarine; the comedic science fiction, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is a book that inspired a young Elon Musk’s mind to the possibilities of a life outside earth. If you look back at history, you would see ideas of old in books are the bedrock of most advancements in technology in recent times. This is why we must create as much work as possible as to the joy of a technological world.
Furthermore, technology has its ills that damage the environment. This is why our stories and whatever we create should also have room for the sustainable development of technology. Children deserve the right to dream. It is from these dreams that they can create an advanced future.
We can all agree that we are in a constant fight against right and wrong. Most children are innocent because they are shielded from all the bad things happening in the world. It is common knowledge that children find their role models from their closest adult figure. This is why we need to surround children with selfless characters that make sacrifices for the betterment of others and characters that are courageous enough to stand for underrepresented groups. In so doing, we will have a future full of selfless people working hand-in-hand to achieve growth.
One thing most literary works fail to show is this; heroes have their bad days too, days where they don’t see possibilities but impossibilities. However, they are still optimistic and keep on pushing forward to achieve what they need to achieve. So, as writers of Children Literature, let our plot and characters provide balanced role models of Heroism.
The joy of Choice
Evolution is the word whenever I think of “Choice.” In the past, the girl child didn’t have the choice to go to school; she didn’t have a choice but to marry even though love wasn’t in love. There has been many barriers for both sexes. Sometimes, I wonder how the male child is now coming to terms with the fact that he also has feelings, and that they matter too. I guess it is the awareness of having a choice that has stimulated all these changes. There is freedom in choice, and no one deserves to live in shackles for the rest of their lives. As writers and creatives, we must create works that promote the happiness one can get when they make a choice of their own. Indecisiveness and oppression are cousins; If children don’t have things that teach them about having the liberty of choosing what they want out of life, they will leave in fear, insecurities, and in a system of oppression forever.
Kindness and empathy
I can’t tell how huge a change we would have if everyone in the world was instilled with the “kindness and empathy” mentality when they were children. What I know is, we would have a different world, one with zero hunger, zero wars, and conflicts. As the saying goes, train up a child in the way s/he should grow, and when s/he is old, s/he will not depart from it. Even as adults, we need to read books, we need to watch dramas that inspire us to treat people with kindness and be empathic towards their feelings and experiences; talk more of children. I can’t tell you how much the literary works I’ve seen have helped me become a better person. I believe if more works that preach kindness and empathy are made and introduced to children, they will grow up the wiser.
The Big Bad Wolf
Because some people didn’t have enough care, books, and stories that will mould them to live a life that doesn’t bring harm to others, we have people who when given the slightest of chance, choose to bring harm to others. In as much as children need to be fed with the “good” books, they need to be taught about the “bad” things that happen in the world too. Literary works need to be produced for children to learn about things, people, actions and even inactions that can bring them harm thereby showing them the possible dangers in the world.
A life well-lived
What is your idea of a life well-lived? Because writing needs to be as personal as possible, we all probably need to write Children’s Literature that expresses what a “life well-lived” is. Some people will say, a life well-lived is one in which you love with all my heart; others will say, it’s one where I have enough financial stability to last a lifetime; while others will say, It’s one where you find your voice and expressed it till your last breath.
Whatever your “life well-lived” is, write a Children’s Literature about it. Give the children a vision board, and let them soar.
“Together, we can” is the English expression of the Swahili word, Twaweza. There is nothing collaboration cannot do. As the infamous saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” The book, Twaweza, is a collection of 24 African Non-fiction stories by writers from 9 African countries; published with the hope that whoever reads will appreciate the cultural diversity of the African continent. When you read the book, you get to see the cultural differences in Africa painted vividly through this collaboration. When children are exposed to literary works such as this that promote and show the importance of collaboration where one person cannot do it alone, children can better appreciate teamwork. Even adults can learn from said literature and be active participants in teamwork.
Sustainable communities can only come from teamwork, and this is why we need more works that preach Twaweza!
Mia San Mia
“Mia San Mia” is the Bavarian variation of the German phrase, “Wir sind wir” which simply translates to, “we are who we are.” It preaches a hardcore winning mentality with a good dose of self-belief, but without any arrogance. Whoever wants to win has to work hard for it. In as much as children are to be taken care of and provided for, they need to know life doesn’t come easy. To enjoy life, one has to work for it. To enjoy life, one has to have love and believe in one’s self. Parents should choose rather to buy a work of art that teaches children that hard work pays instead of buying a book that promotes a cunning character.
It’s quite funny and a bit ironic writing an education-themed Children’s Literature because what’s the purpose of reading if not for education or a mind opener? However, this doesn’t change the fact that we still need to promote the importance of education – formal or informal to children. Life is a hard place to be in, and without the ability to read and write, you will be lost in the world. A language is a powerful tool, and without the ability to understand, there is no hope.
Some children do not find so much joy in reading, because at that age, they see fun as something else. So, when we write to promote the importance of education, let’s ensure we make learning fun and enjoyable; something children will whole-heartedly want to do.
Chris Baah is a Construction Site Engineer by profession, with a love for writing. He considers himself a free-spirited person willing to learn and unlearn. He writes with the aim of asking questions, and causing people to think about norms and stereotypes in society; and hopefully, lead to a positive change for future generations. He currently lives in Ghana, his home country, and has a dream of travelling and experiencing every good thing the world has to offer.
This post was truly worthwhile to read. I wanted to say thank you for the key points you have pointed out as they are enlightening.
It was a pleasure writing it.
I’m glad you got something good from it.