Young Children as Authors: The Creative Process in First Stories.

The focus of the study reported in this paper was the creative process in children's telling of stories (rather than analysis of the stories themselves). Storytelling was introduced as a possible weekly free-play school activity to children aged three to six, and most of the children chose to participate on several occasions. The storytelling of the youngest children differentiated out of imaginative play or conversation but soon became an intentional and bounded activity. Children typically drew on several sources for their stories, and they used several strategies when they had difficulty continuing the story. Smiles and laughter frequently accompanied story telling. Observations suggested that children had clear authorial intentions, that they were aware of themselves as authors, and that they valued their stories. (Author/MG) *******************************A*************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * YOUNG CHILDREN AS AUTHORS: THE CREATIVE PROCESS IN FIRST STORIES Charlotte L. Doyle Sarah Lawrence College Charlotte L. Doyle Dept. of Psychology Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY 10708 Paper delivered at the American Psychological Association Meetings, New Orleans, August 13, 1989 BEST COPY AVAILABLE PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). 2 U.S. *EPARTMENT OF FDUCATIOP Othcn E,I4eAtional Research and Improve vent EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN-ORMANON CENT'Rr.RIC) 0 Tn13 has been reproduced as reCaiied rOm the person or orgrnaatiOn originating n. 0 Minor %hengvs nave been made to improve reproduction quality Pointe of view or Opniond Est ed in tni.s doctr men; ,lo not necessarily represent official OERI position or poNcy YOUNG CHILDRri AS AUTHORS 1