The master's thesis explores the impact of picture books with a COVID-19 theme on understanding the pandemic among elementary school students. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous changes in everyday life, including for children, who had to adapt to new ways of learning and limited social interactions. Picture books have proven to be a powerful tool for communicating with children, as they help in understanding the situation, coping with fears, and developing empathy.
The research was conducted using a qualitative research approach and a causal-non-experimental method. The study included first, third, and fifth-grade elementary school students who participated in interviews before and after reading picture books with a COVID-19 theme. The aim of the research was to verify whether picture books with a COVID-19 theme can improve the understanding of the pandemic among students and whether there are differences in understanding based on the age of the students.
The theoretical part of the thesis encompasses the study of Slovenian picture books in the global context, the definition of a picture book, the forms of books, and the interaction between text and illustration. Various forms of picture books were explored, including wordless picture books, illustrated books, and classic picture books. Special attention was given to contemporary fairy tales, their characteristics, and levels of difficulty. The types of picture books were also analyzed based on the creative process and the arrangement of text and illustrations within the picture book.
The empirical part of the thesis focuses on the analysis of the results obtained from the interviews. It was found that after reading the picture books, students provided more detailed and specific answers to questions about COVID-19. Picture books contributed to a better understanding of measures to prevent the spread of the virus, such as wearing masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing. Students also showed greater empathy and understanding of the challenges people face during the pandemic.
The conclusions of the master's thesis indicate that picture books with a COVID-19 theme are an effective tool for educating children about the pandemic. Picture books help children understand complex situations in a simple and accessible way. It is recommended that picture books with a COVID-19 theme be included in the educational process, as they can contribute to better awareness and preparation of children for dealing with similar situations in the future.
The entire research contributed to a better understanding of the educational value of picture books and their impact on children's understanding of the pandemic.
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