THE CONTRIBUTION OF CREATIVE WRITING TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOVE FOR READING IN CHILDREN’S LIBRARIES: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Author: Dr Tasos Michailidis

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the significance of creative writing in cultivating a deeper, more meaningful connection between children and literary reading within the library setting. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, it views creative writing as an educational tool that serves to ignite the imagination of young readers and harness the expressive potential of language within reading groups hosted in libraries. The study begins with a concise historical overview of the formation of creative writing and proceeds to examine various approaches to the cognitive processes stimulated by creative writing techniques. It then proceeds to present illustrative applications of creative activities grounded in foundational texts, tailored for implementation in Children’s Library settings. These activities are categorized into three levels based on the participants’ preparedness for creative engagement. Furthermore, to underscore the pivotal role of creative writing in fostering a love for reading, the paper incorporates feedback from 18 Library Science students who participated in a reading group during the spring semester of 2019 at a Greek University. The group’s thematic focus was on analyzing the structure of short stories through creative writing exercises. The students’ perspectives, gathered through a brief questionnaire, provide valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between creative writing and the educational mission of libraries.

Keywords: Children’s Libraries, Creative Writing, Qualitative method, Reading groups

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