It can also teach fairness. If the story shows that both the big and the small are treated equally in terms of opportunities or rules, it instills in children the idea that everyone, regardless of their size (literal or metaphorical), should be given a fair chance. This helps in building a more inclusive and just mindset from an early age.
A 'big vs small' story can be used to teach children the value of perseverance. For example, if the small character in the story overcomes the big one through hard work and not giving up, it shows kids that they can achieve great things even if they seem small or less powerful. This can encourage them to keep trying in difficult situations.
Stories in the book are great tools for teaching values. For example, 'The Tortoise and the Hare' shows that slow and steady wins the race, teaching kids the value of determination and not being overconfident. 'The Good Samaritan' - like stories can teach children about helping others. And in stories where characters work together, like the Three Little Pigs when they try to protect themselves from the wolf, it teaches the value of cooperation.
These stories can teach kindness. For example, if the monster turns out to be not so bad in the end because a character showed it kindness, it tells kids that being kind can have positive results. Also, they can teach responsibility. If the characters are responsible for protecting their friends or family from the monster, it encourages kids to be responsible in their own lives.
Little pitcher stories can be used to teach children values in many ways. For example, if a story has a little pitcher that is always honest, like it never lies about how much water it can hold, children can learn about honesty. They see that being honest is a good thing.
African bedtime stories can teach children values like wisdom. For example, in the Anansi stories, Anansi's use of his wits shows children that intelligence can be a great asset.
Jesus children stories can teach moral values like kindness. For example, in the story of Jesus blessing the children, we learn that all are worthy of love and respect regardless of age. This can be used to teach children to be kind to others.
If the 'bathing with mom story' involves mom helping the child in the bath, it can teach about family values like support. The mother is providing physical and emotional support during this time. Parents can tell this story to children and say that in a family, we support each other in all aspects of life, just like mom supported the child during bath time. It also shows love and protection, as mom is making sure the child is clean and safe in the bath.
The wheat seeds can teach kids about the value of hard work. Just like the little red hen has to plant, tend, and harvest them. The mill shows that you need to process things to get the final product, like how we need to study to achieve good results. The oven and the resulting bread teach about the reward of effort.
Children's church stories can teach moral values by presenting good and bad examples. For example, in the story of Adam and Eve, their disobedience led to negative consequences, teaching children about the importance of following rules.
The story of the Three Little Pigs is a great example too. The pigs face the threat of the big bad wolf. The first two pigs were a bit lazy in building their houses. This 'f up' in their approach led to problems. But the third pig was smart and hardworking. It teaches children about the value of hard work, planning, and not taking shortcuts.
These stories often have relatable characters. When children see characters facing moral dilemmas and making the right choices, they internalize those values. For example, a story about a girl who chooses to forgive her friend who has wronged her. The children can then be encouraged to practice forgiveness in their own relationships. This not only teaches them the value but also gives them a model of how to apply it in real - life situations.