College of education students’ attitude towards the teaching and learning of children’s literature

Abstract

The study examined the perception of pre-service teachers regarding children’s literature and how their views impact their attitude towards literature for children. The study adopted Spolsky’s (1989) model of second language teaching and learning as the framework to College of Education students’ attitude towards the teaching and learning of Children’s Literature. Using a convergent parallel mixed method design and purposive sampling, data were collected by means of questionnaire and interview from 300 students and 10 tutors from SDA College of Education, Asokore-Koforidua and Aburi Presbyterian Womens’ Colleges of Education, and analyzed statistically and thematically. The analysis revealed that majority of the students either come from the background of either General Arts, where they read Literature-in-English or developed interest in the subject while in SHS where they read general knowledge in literature as part of Core English Language. Others also were students whose parents introduced them to books early in life through home libraries and those who develop love for the subject whiles they are in college. Based on the results, it is argued that the pre-service teachers generally have positive attitude towards the study of children’s literature. From this, it is recommended that special attention should be paid to factors at school level, such as time spent on curriculum literature, instructional approaches and educational objectives for literature for children.