Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Art
Advisor(s)
Hsu, Ginnie
Keywords
Art, Child Development, Children's Literature, Imagination
Subject Categories
Art Education | Education
Abstract
This thesis is to investigate the importance of imagination and art in children's picture books. Imagination plays an important role during childhood. This creative ability can help children to confront and solve problems. The thesis first examines child development theories that indicate children are cognitively adaptable to the surrounding world through imagination. Cognitive theory, introduced by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, and sociocultural theory, established by Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky are studied and explained. Imagination is considered a cognitive process. Through the use of their imagination, children can observe the unknown world, think about possibilities, and understand other people. Children's picture books are next described. They can be considered an art form that helps the viewers use their imagination to participate in the imaginary world. Therefore, the role of children's literature is to communicate with children in order to support and expand their imaginative thinking. The thesis provides examples of anthropomorphism and imaginary places that often appear in children's books.In the final section, the author describes how she created her story for a picture book. A girl uses her imagination to answer her own questions, because she doesn't want to sleep at night.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Li, Muge, "The Role of Imagination and Art in Children's Books" (2022). Theses - ALL. 620.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/620
