How Reading Fiction Can Help Children to Relate to Each Other: A Real World Versus a Fantasy World

Children live in a real world, but often have to learn how to relate to others from within the realm of fiction that depicts the lives of other children. One child’s fiction can be another child’s reality.  

Relating to one another can prove to be problematic for some children at times, particularly when fiction appears to be in the realm of exaggeration. At other times, the influence of fiction can be instrumental in helping others. 

For example, the article, “Changing our minds” discusses the nature of fiction in terms of how reading fiction helps to create empathy for others.

"Fiction is about possible selves in possible worlds."

Children can usually relate reasonably well to their own siblings, because they tend think alike. Parents and teachers teach the same kinds of things to siblings who understand their basic values, ideas and concepts. Because these children are in constant contact with one another, it makes relating to one another easier.

Bringing other children into the picture can introduce a whole collection of different values, ideas and concepts. Because contact with these children is often minimal, relating to them is not always easy. When children cannot relate to the values, ideas and concepts of other children, they do not relate well to them either. Building positive, constructive relationships takes time and effort on their part.

The world of fiction offers the opportunity for children to grasp new values, ideas and concepts, far beyond their own. When children read the same fiction or the same kind of fiction, the new values, ideas and concepts become part of a mutual realm where children can understand them in a different light. Then, they begin to understand each other, as well.

In the world of today, electronic books and computers play a major role in the education of children. At home, in school or at a library, children can read fiction online. They read what other children around the globe read on the Internet too.

Reading fiction helps children to surpass regional, cultural and religious values, which may divide them otherwise. When reading fiction there is an element of adventure and fun, which makes it exciting for them. Children usually relate well to the adventure and fun in other children’s lives.

Many of the issues and concerns children have today can be resolved by reading fiction because it opens their hearts and minds to other values, ideas and concepts. It also increases their empathy for others, making it easier to relate to them at the same time. They begin to see that children everywhere are very much alike.

When teachers, parents and others read fiction together regularly, it often draws other children into the same world, where they begin to interact with one another with empathy and more realistically.