Children learn moral lessons more effectively from stories with human characters than with “cute” human-like animals, a new study has revealed.
Experts found that four to six-year-olds shared more after listening to books with human characters than books with anthropomorphic (human-like) animals.
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What researchers say?
- The researchers found that since many kids in this study did not see these characters as similar to themselves.
- They may be less likely to translate social lessons from these stories into their everyday lives.
- These findings add to a growing body of research showing that children find it easier to apply knowledge from stories that are realistic
- Overall, children were more likely to act on the moral of the story when it featured a human character.
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About the study:
- During the study, kids listened to a story with either human or human-like animal characters who spoke and wore clothes.
- Each book taught children about sharing with others.
- Children’s altruistic giving was assessed before and after the reading.
- Most kids said the animals lacked human characteristics.
- The researchers said one of the reasons some children did not act generously.
- Because they did not interpret the anthropomorphic animals as similar to themselves.
- The researchers also suggested that books with realistic characters lead to better learning for kids.
- Books that children can easily relate to increase their ability to apply the story’s lesson to their daily lives.
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“It is important for educators and parents to choose carefully when the goal is to teach real-world knowledge and social behaviours through storybooks.”