Science in the language of children’s books: Honours College students take up the challenge
How do you explain loss, social inequality or mental health to children without losing sight of the gravity of the subject? The new Honours course From Research to Children’s Book, taught by Annelies van Bentum, challenges students to make complex academic themes accessible through the medium of children’s literature.
Archaeology student Alec Dijkshoorn took the course ‘This course may be about children’s books, but above all it teaches us how to translate complex academic ideas for people without specialist knowledge,’ he says. Students explore how to make difficult material understandable to a wide audience. They analyse children’s and picture books, reflect on narrative techniques, and practise writing their own story on societal themes such as polarisation, consent or violence.
Social awareness
The course highlights the importance of social awareness and trains students to communicate academic knowledge clearly. By working with children’s literature, they learn how to convey abstract or sensitive issues in a way that is both respectful and accessible. Alec: ‘Science belongs to everyone, and this should be reflected in the way we communicate.’
Complex ideas explained
‘If I cannot explain important archaeological concepts to someone without a degree in archaeology, then my work has little value,’ Alec thinks. He aspires to a career in public archaeology, where inspiring people about the discipline is key. The ability to explain complex ideas is essential in that field – and is precisely the skill honed in this course.
Critical and inquisitive
By taking young readers seriously as critical and inquisitive thinkers, students learn to connect their academic expertise to wider society. Alec: ‘I hope this course will help me translate my knowledge to a broad audience of children and adults, and spark interest in science.’