Dancewicz, Jessica (2025) Let’s Share! Can Anthropomorphic Storybooks Promote Pro-Social Skills? Masters thesis, Concordia University.
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Abstract
This study analyses whether different types of characters (human versus animal) in children’s picture books play a significant role in children’s sharing behaviours and reading comprehension skills, depending on the type of reading method used (standard versus dialogic). I examined children’s sharing behaviours using a sticker test before and after reading sessions. A total of 44 children participated in this study between the ages of 4 and 6 years old, who were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups. Participants were read their assigned storybook a total of three times, once a day, three days in a row. After analyzing the collected data, no significant differences were found in sharing behaviours regardless of the reading group the participating children were in. However, differences in reading comprehension were present. There was a significant difference between the animal-standard group and the human-standard group. In sum, my study suggests that storybooks containing animals as protagonists do not necessarily decrease sharing behaviours and could improve reading comprehension in young children.
Keywords: Anthropomorphism, dialogic reading, reading comprehension, sharing
| Divisions: | Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Education |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
| Authors: | Dancewicz, Jessica |
| Institution: | Concordia University |
| Degree Name: | M.A. |
| Program: | Child Studies |
| Date: | 19 August 2025 |
| Thesis Supervisor(s): | Martin-Chang, Sandra |
| Keywords: | Anthropomorphism, dialogic reading, reading comprehension, sharing |
| ID Code: | 996251 |
| Deposited By: | Jessica Dancewicz |
| Deposited On: | 04 Nov 2025 15:24 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Nov 2025 15:24 |
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