Learning objectives

A) Knowledge and comprehension
KINDERGARTEN: - Knowledge of the discipline: 1) definition; 2) fields and sectors; 3) epistemology; 4) the functions of Children’s Literature during pre-school age. - Knowledge and understanding of: 1) national and international picturebooks and illustrated books (features and theoretical aspects); 2) fairy tales (formal features, topics, adaptations, re-writings). - Knowledge of the most significant classical and contemporary picturebook makers. - Knowledge and understanding of: 1) the appropriate selection criteria for quality children’s books; 2) theoretical frameworks, targets, literacy promotion methods with the objective of educating future readers. - Knowledge and understanding of read-aloud functions, features and techniques (with special reference to expressive-literary performance).
PRIMARY SCHOOL - Knowledge of the discipline: 1) definition; 2) fields and sectors; 3) epistemology; 4) the main features of historical children’s literature aimed at interpreting contemporary children’s books.
- Knowledge and understanding of: 1) the new educational and formative role of children’s literature; 2) the features of the best national and international contemporary children’s literature: trends, topics, characters, values, implicit and symbolic meanings, stylistic quality; 3) national and international picturebooks and illustrated books (features and theoretical aspects); 4) fairy tales (formal features, topics, adaptations, re-writings); 5) the definition of a “classic”, of its features and of appropriate reading-strategies for a selection of significant authors and titles; 6) contemporary national editorial products for children (strengths and weaknesses).
- Knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and reading promotion: theoretical framework, general and specific targets, methods in line with the most important international and national research.

B) Knowledge and applied comprehension practice
KINDERGARTEN:- Identifying a quality or commercial picturebook, according to a set of scientific criteria (i.e. artistic, literary, psycho-pedagogical) applied to its verbal and visual contents. - Identifying the best illustrated or non-illustrated versions of fairy tales and the best adaptations and rewritings. - Reading different narrative texts aloud in an expressive and interpretative way, avoiding excessively emphatic interpretations. - Identifying the most suitable post-reading activities available after read-aloud sessions, in order to promote reading and educate motivated and critical readers. - Evaluating and planning reading projects according to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary scientific criteria (i.e. literary and psycho-pedagogical). - Advising colleagues and parents about the new functions of children’s literature and the identification criteria for good children’s books.
PRIMARY SCHOOL - Applying scientific, literary and psycho-pedagogical criteria to identify: 1) good picturebooks, fiction books, children’s poetry books for the 6-10 age-range; or 2) poor quality, highly standardized and stereotyped commercial books. - Reading and re-reading texts with an expressive and interpretative approach based on specific textual features. - Selecting literary activities and educational games aimed at stimulating a deep interpretation and comprehension of the texts. - Interpreting the legislation dealing with Children’s literature and reading Pedagogy. - Advising colleagues and parents about the new functions of children’s literature and the identification criteria for good children’s books.

C) Making judgements KINDERGARTEN - Knowledge and understanding of quality picutrebooks and critical aspects of contemporary national pre-school editorial products (strengths and weaknesses), both in terms of verbal and visual narration. - Assessing different read-aloud performances carried out by adults. - Assessing early literacy and reading projects. - Self-evaluating one’s performance with reflective posture through different techniques, including group discussions and audio recordings.
PRIMARY SCHOOL - Knowledge and understanding of quality children’s literature and critical aspects of contemporary national editorial products (strengths and weaknesses), both in terms of verbal visual narration. - Selecting quality children’s narrative texts and identifying possible adaptation options. - Assessing different read-aloud performances carried out by adults. - Assessing literacy and reading projects. - Self-evaluating one’s performance with reflective posture through different techniques, including group discussions and audio recordings.

D) Communication skills
KINDERGARTEN - Using appropriate technical terminology to deal with single works of fiction (especially picturebooks), and, in general, with pedagogy and the promotion of reading. - Carefully listening to children’s needs and reading interests. - Introducing and explaining reading projects to colleagues and parents.
PRIMARY SCHOOL - Using appropriate technical terminology to deal with single works of fiction (especially picturebooks), and, in general, with pedagogy and the promotion of reading. - Carefully listening to children’s needs and reading interests. - Introducing and explaining reading projects to colleagues and parents.

E) Learning skills
KINDERGARTEN- Researching paper and digital sources to find: 1) fiction works and illustrated books to be included in projects; 2) information to create effective, theoretically grounded educational projects. - Adapting projects in a flexible way, according to children’s interests, needs, emotions, and cognitive abilities. PRIMARY SCHOOL - Researching paper and digital sources to find: 1) fiction works and illustrated books to be included in projects; 2) information to create effective, theoretically grounded educational projects. - Adapting projects in a flexible way, according to children’s interests, needs, emotions, and cognitive abilities.