Representations of Social Values in The Collection (Swings Singing for Children) By The Poet Suleiman Al-Essa

Abstract

Children's literature is one of the fundamental fields of modern literary studies, given its pivotal role in building children's awareness and shaping their conscience and social values. This research examines the representations of social values in the collection "Swings Singing for Children" by the Syrian poet Suleiman Al-Essa, focusing on the importance of values in shaping children's cultural and moral patterns, and the history of children's literature as an educational and cultural space. The research is based on five main axes that address the most prominent social values reflected in the poetry texts in the collection. The axes were represented by an extrapolation of the values of freedom, which are practiced within the limits of respect for the rights of others, and the values of belonging and identity, which enhance children's awareness of their social and cultural environment. The research also addresses the values of respect and apology as a pillar for building human relationships, and calls for correcting ideas as a method for liberating children's minds from biases and misconceptions. Finally, the research reviewed the role of poetic texts in investing in children's imagination by evoking the worlds of jinn in a way that aims to enrich imagination, stimulate creativity, synthesize jinn, and break the barrier of fear of them. The importance of this literature appears in its role as a means of raising children and shaping their social awareness through poetic texts that combine simplicity and depth, thus achieving their educational and pedagogical message. Al-Essa's collection represents a unique model in consolidating values through directed poetry that takes into account the child's psychological and cognitive needs.