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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

Vol.8, Issue 2; March-April - 2023; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJAC; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

1 | American Journal of Art and Communication 

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THE ART OF CHILDREN'S RECITATION: AUTHENTICITY AND 

BEYOND 
 

 

Yang Meimei, Zhang Jiaqi 
China Women's University, Beijing, China  

 

Abstract: The art of children's recitation has been developing rapidly in recent years. However, there is a 

noticeable decline in authenticity in this art form. This decline is due to a number of factors, including the 

increasing commercialization of recitation, the emphasis on winning competitions, and the lack of attention to 

the child's individual development. To preserve the true essence of children's recitation art, it is important to 

acknowledge and address this loss of authenticity. This can be done by focusing on the child's enjoyment of 

recitation, the development of their expressive skills, and the importance of authenticity in the selection of 

material. 

Keywords: Children's recitation art, Authenticity, Commercialization, Competitions, Individual development  

 

 

1. Introduction   

Presently, recitation art has gained immense popularity among the public, and the audience groups for 

Recitation have become more diverse. Notably, the art of children's Recitation has been developing rapidly. 

However, alongside its rapid growth, there is also a noticeable decline in authenticity that needs to be accurately 

recognized as a fundamental aspect of the art of children's Recitation. It is crucial to acknowledge and address 

this loss of authenticity to preserve this art form's true essence. It is necessary to accurately understand the "truth" 

of children's recitation art and how to change the current situation of losing "truth."  

2. An overview of the "truth" in the art of children's recitation  

2.1 The art of children's recitation and its connotation of "truth"  

2.1.1 An Introduction to the Art of Children's Recitation  

The art of recitation is a distinctive form of audio-visual art, with a history of thousands of years[1]. Nowadays, 

the art of Recitation has changed from a "cold art" to a hot art nowadays. People of all ages have a passion for 

the art of Recitation. Children's Recitation is an artistic expression that belongs exclusively to children, but there 

are no clear criteria for defining the age of children. In the context of this study, the term "minor" is defined as an 

abbreviation of "child" and "adolescent," encompassing individuals under the age of eighteen. Specifically, for 

this research, the term "children" refers to individuals aged between 3 and 16, divided into different stages based 

on their developmental characteristics. From 3 weeks to 6 years old, children are in the enlightenment stage. At 

this stage, it is important to focus on establishing the foundation for expressive abilities and building the 

confidence to vocalize. From 6 years old to 12 years old, children enter the budding stage. During this stage, they 

have accumulated a certain amount of knowledge, their cognitive abilities have improved, and they are better 

able to comprehend the meaning of Recitation. From 12 to 16 years old, children enter the consolidation stage. 

At this point, they have established the fundamental habits of expression and have accumulated a greater amount 

of knowledge. They can receive and comprehend new knowledge at a faster rate and are capable of expressing 

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

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1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

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more complex content of the text based on their own understanding. This stage marks a crucial time for further 

development and refinement of their expressive abilities. For children of different ages, teaching methods and 

recitation works should be graded, and the effect will be more significant.  

2.1.2 Artistic features of children's recitatio  

The art of children's Recitation is unique and complex. The art of Recitation has a long history and is an earlier 

art form in the audible language. Recitation involves transforming written literature into an auditory form. This 

process is highly creative and artistic, as the art of Recitation enhances the beauty and depth of the text through 

a process of secondary creation. It injects additional spirituality and emotional depth into the work, enriching its 

overall meaning[2]. As far as the art of children's Recitation is concerned, children's perception and imagination 

of words are very different from those of adults and have their uniqueness. Considering the age and physiological 

characteristics of children, it is important to note that their literacy levels are relatively low. They often lack the 

ability to appreciate literature on their own, and their cognitive and receptive abilities are weaker compared to 

adults. Therefore, the teaching methods and approaches used for children need to be tailored to their specific 

needs and abilities. It is essential to consider their developmental stage and employ appropriate techniques to 

facilitate their understanding and enjoyment of literature. At the same time, the way children and adults think and 

express themselves is quite different. The stage of children is a stage of rich imagination, and the perspective of 

seeing the world and words is significantly different from that of adults and has a uniqueness.  

In the field of children's recitation education, teachers have a vital role in explaining the content of recitation 

works to ensure children's understanding of the text. They also need to adopt a graded teaching approach, 

considering the varying age groups of children. The selection of appropriate works that are suitable and 

comprehensible for each age group is essential, although this process can be quite complex. Through careful 

selection of works and the implementation of effective teaching strategies, teachers can effectively support 

children's expressive development in recitation. If teachers choose inappropriate teaching methods, it is easy to 

have "false expression" and "no emotion". The education of children's recitation art is to combine children's 

education and recitation art education, which is indispensable, so children's recitation art has its own uniqueness 

and complexity.  

2.1.3 The Connotation of "Truth" in the Art of Children's Recitation  

Children's individual experience of the art of Recitation. The art of Recitation is not simply turning words into 

sound but an art form that brings the audience beautiful enjoyment in the visual, auditory, tactile, and other senses 

under the joint action of comprehension, expression, and imagination[3]. When it comes to the stage of expression 

in children, it's important to recognize that they perceive and experience things differently from adults. Children 

bring their own unique understanding of the text and imaginative images. Therefore, the teaching process should 

be appropriately guided to preserve children's natural characteristics, ensuring that the instruction allows for 

authentic and genuine expression. In the present time, the children's recitation training market has become 

saturated, with many training institutions and teachers lacking excellent professional abilities and a deep 

understanding of effective teaching methods for children. As a result, children's recitation performances often 

lack their own unique, expressive characteristics and instead become repetitive, devoid of spirituality and 

meaningful content. This situation arises because there is a lack of genuine understanding of children's education 

and the true essence of the art of Recitation. Instead, the focus is often solely on achieving a surface-level effect 

through superficial training methods. Children's recitation art training necessitates a combination of children's 

education and recitation art training in an educational format. These two components are mutually dependent, 

enabling children to become adept at Recitation and allowing them to experience the individuality of this art form. 

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

Vol.8, Issue 2; March-April - 2023; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

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By integrating education and training, children can truly master the art of Recitation while expressing their own 

unique qualities.  

Individual expression is crucial in the art of children's Recitation. Each form of art undergoes various changes 

and developments along its evolutionary process. Both in terms of theory and technique, it is essential to adapt to 

the advancements of the time in order to bring forth innovation. By embracing new approaches, the art of 

Recitation will have the ability to remain timeless and relevant. The branch of children's Recitation in the art of 

Recitation has its own development characteristics[4]. Children's understanding and feelings are very different 

from those of adults. During the process of education and guidance, it is important to avoid using an adult way 

of thinking when working with children. Instead, it is necessary to recognize the differences and engage in 

effective communication, immersing oneself in the world of children in order to understand their perspective on 

literature. By adopting a child-centered approach, educators can establish a better connection with children and 

facilitate their learning and appreciation of literature. Children possess varying interpretations, emotions, and 

perspectives when it comes to literary works. Therefore, during children's recitation art training, teachers should 

embrace these differences and engage in more communication to understand the children's unique emotional 

interpretations. If there are any cognitive biases, they should be guided appropriately, and differing viewpoints 

should be respected to promote diverse feelings. It is crucial not to undermine children's creative power in the 

process. The art of children's Recitation then, becomes an artistic creation that showcases their distinctive 

sensibilities and creativity. It allows for the expression of their personalities through rich imagination and a unique 

perspective.  

2.2 The True Meaning of the Art of Children's Recitation  

2.2.1 Recitation helps to improve children's expressive skills  

During childhood, children primarily acquire knowledge through direct observation, auditory experiences, and 

interactions with tangible objects. This process is closely intertwined with language, as language plays a pivotal 

role in their learning and understanding. Additionally, the ability to express oneself through language has a 

significant influence on the formation of children's personalities[5]. By honing their language skills and fostering 

effective expression, children can develop a stronger foundation for personal growth and self-discovery. This 

period is the ideal time for enhancing language expression abilities and developing psychological resilience. 

Many children in this stage begin to establish their own thinking structures and develop clearer and more 

independent ideas. However, it is not uncommon for children to experience "shyness" or a reluctance to speak in 

public settings during this phase. It is important to recognize this characteristic and provide the necessary support 

and encouragement to help children overcome their inhibitions and enhance their language expression skills. In 

the teaching of children's recitation art, teachers can create a relaxed and engaging classroom atmosphere to 

enhance children's ability to improvise and express themselves. Through various activities, teachers can exercise 

children's creative abilities and improve their psychological resilience, enabling even shy children to find the 

courage to express themselves in front of others. In the training process of recitation art, exercises such as 

Mandarin voice training, breath training, and voice elasticity training can be implemented. These activities are 

effective for correcting pronunciation issues, improving vocal techniques, developing proper pronunciation habits 

in children, enhancing the use of emotions and breath control during recitation, and ultimately boosting self-

confidence. Moreover, these exercises can improve the accuracy of expression and the audibility of children’s 

recitations. The voice will become brighter and more pleasant to listen to. When expressing itself, it will 

effectively convey its intended message with greater clarity and accuracy, thereby achieving effective 

communication and improving its expressive abilities.  

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

Vol.8, Issue 2; March-April - 2023; 

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2.2.2 Recitation helps to improve children's recitation habits  

Eloquence embodies human ability, wisdom, and cultivation. Having excellent eloquence skills and recitation 

abilities can help children learn easily and joyfully. Learning recitation and broadcasting hosting can enhance 

children's ability to express themselves freely and fluently[6]. During recitation training, students will develop 

good recitation habits. These habits will enable them to approach literary manuscripts and newly learned texts in 

the classroom with appropriate preparation. Simultaneously, promoting the development of good reading habits 

in both children and adults is crucial. Without systematic recitation training, individuals often overlook the 

importance of manuscript preparation. When encountering an article, they tend to skim through it without fully 

comprehending its content. However, by thoroughly preparing the material before recitation, one gains a more 

accurate understanding of the intended tone and message. This deeper comprehension enables children to develop 

a clearer logical framework and thinking process when writing. Additionally, this process helps accumulate a 

wider range of vocabulary and sentences, improving their language skills and enhancing their ability to learn and 

read  

2.2.3 Recitation helps to enhance the humanistic qualities of young children  

During the recitation training process, individuals will be exposed to various types of literature spanning from 

the past to the present. Through the practice of reading aloud, they will gain a deep understanding of the content 

of the articles and develop their ability to comprehend literary works. By engaging in recitation training, 

individuals will also be exposed to a broader range of articles and writers, enabling them to better grasp historical 

events and accumulate more literary materials and historical knowledge. This process contributes to the 

enhancement of their own humanistic qualities. For instance, let us consider the recitation of the poem "Long 

March in Seven Diatribes." In preparing the manuscript, it is crucial to understand the poem's background and 

establish the desired emotional tone. As a classic language teaching material in primary schools, this poem vividly 

portrays the Red Army's arduous and grand journey during the Long March, expressing their unwavering spirit 

and revolutionary struggle against all odds. To effectively recite the poem, conveying a sense of momentum is 

important, uplifting the overall emotional tone excitingly. The recitation should employ a high-spirited tone and 

maintain a slightly faster tempo to depict the Red Army's bravery in facing challenges and continuously moving 

forward while expressing admiration for their achievements. To effectively express themselves in every piece of 

literature encountered, individuals must engage in careful study and gain a deep understanding of the underlying 

connotations and emotions. Exposure to a wider range of texts and comprehension of various creative emotions 

and approaches can significantly enhance the humanistic qualities of young children.  

3. The Challenges Facing the Art of Children's Recitation in the New Era  

3.1 The lack of "true" feelings in the artistic expression of children's recitation  

In recent years, children's recitation art has witnessed significant development with strong forward momentum. 

As a result, children's recitation art education has successfully introduced younger students to the world of audible 

language creation, yielding fruitful results. However, despite these successes, there is still ample room for further 

development and growth in this field[7]. Because the art of children's Recitation lacks a clear definition of the age 

group it pertains to and a standardized code of practice for teachers, the competence level of teachers engaged in 

children's recitation training varies. Many teachers lack a systematic approach to teaching children's spoken 

language, which can lead to various issues. Nowadays, it is common to see uniform and empty expressions in 

children's recitation activities and training classrooms. During practice, I have observed that children often recite 

with a continuous, monotonous accent and similar pause times. Upon further investigation, it became apparent 

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

Vol.8, Issue 2; March-April - 2023; 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJAC; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

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that they only knew where to stop and where to emphasize without actually understanding the content of the 

recitation works. During training, the focus is solely on imitating the teacher's reading, with little guidance on 

understanding and conveying the emotions associated with the content. As a result, the recitations delivered by 

students lack the depth of emotion and fail to achieve a sense of "true feeling." Instead, they become empty forms. 

While this training method may be the most convenient and energy-saving for achieving some results, I believe 

it erases children's natural abilities and their creative potential. Moreover, the resulting content no longer qualifies 

as genuine Recitation; it merely becomes an empty shell devoid of "true" emotions.  

3.2 The lack of a "real" approach to children's recitation arts education  

Most children's audio-language training institutions lack professional and scientific teaching materials, 

teaching systems, and mechanisms for evaluating teachers' qualifications. There is also a lack of uniform 

requirements for teachers' professional competence and quality, resulting in a diverse pool of teachers from 

various backgrounds. For audio language teachers, their own professional ability is of utmost importance, along 

with the use of a scientifically accurate education method. Only with a precise understanding of the field and 

knowledge can they effectively teach this art to their students. Without such understanding, it would be impossible 

for them to provide accurate instruction.   

There are many different training materials in the market of children's audio language training institutions 

today, lacking an accurate and scientific main line of teaching materials. The education system currently lacks 

systematicity, resulting in differences in teaching methods among individual teachers and even outdated teaching 

content. In the instruction of broadcasting and hosting arts in colleges and universities, the main teaching focus 

is on the four textbooks of the "Practical Broadcasting Course," supplemented by other textbooks. This 

combination has proven to be successful and effective. It is evident that having a unified, authoritative, and 

standardized set of teaching materials and a comprehensive teaching system is crucial for children's audio-

language training. The management and operation of children's recitation education lack in-depth investigation 

and oversight from relevant organizations. Additionally, the art of children's Recitation lacks a true method or 

approach that is universally recognized and accepted.  

3.3 Lack of "true" understanding in children's recitation arts presentations  

As the popularity of recitation art grows, many parents enroll their children in recitation classes in hopes of 

exposing them to the charm of this art form. However, there is an incomplete understanding of children's 

Recitation and a lack of accurate judgment criteria. Many organizations train children to recite fixed sentences 

with predetermined pauses and accents. They believe that this fixed and patterned Recitation is the "essence" of 

Recitation and a way for parents to witness their children's supposed learning achievements. Unfortunately, this 

approach stems from parents' limited understanding of the true essence of children's Recitation.  

Partly due to the pressure to showcase "learning achievements," many education and training institutions focus 

on completing the task rather than instilling genuine emotions into the art of Recitation. This lack of "true" 

feelings in children's Recitation reflects the general public's deep misunderstanding of its true nature. Ultimately, 

it is important for parents and institutions to foster a deeper understanding of the art of children's Recitations, 

enabling children to embrace and express genuine emotions through their recitations.  

4. The Response to Achieve the "Truth" of Children's Recitation Art  

4.1 Strengthening Teachers' Professional Competence to Enhance Education  

An experienced and well-established team of teachers in the art of children's recitation is the key to success in 

elevating the quality of education. Teachers of children's recitation need to possess an extensive knowledge base 

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

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and a clear knowledge structure. They should be able to provide accurate and clear answers to students' wild 

thinking and questions, enabling efficient knowledge transfer. To achieve this, teachers must employ effective 

critical thinking and identification of common characteristics and thinking styles among children, allowing them 

to develop more efficient teaching methods. Additionally, teachers should excel in communication and have a 

deep understanding of children's characteristics, enabling them to accurately grasp the physiological, 

psychological, and interests of children. Teachers with experience and strong communication skills can better 

maintain control over the pace and atmosphere of the classroom.   

4.2 Mastering the communication styles of children to enhance teaching and learning  

Children are active and easily distracted, making it difficult for them to maintain concentration during the 

learning process. To enhance their focus in the classroom and promote more efficient learning, it is important to 

capture their attention. The Total Physical Response (TPR) teaching method can be utilized for this purpose. Its 

theoretical basis lies in the idea that children improve their ability to express themselves through repeated cycles 

of listening and speaking. By providing opportunities for children to naturally utilize language to convey their 

meanings, TPR combines listening and engaging physical actions. During language teaching, teachers incorporate 

games to guide students in thinking about the content being taught and expressing it both physically and 

verbally[8]. This interactive approach helps create an enjoyable and stimulating classroom environment, 

facilitating effective language learning for children. For example, in the course, you can start with simple words 

combined with movement - such as "sad", "happy", "excited" and other words, and express them with movement. 

The teacher will further enhance students' understanding as they progress through different levels of content 

difficulty. Eventually, the teacher will guide the children to give personal demonstrations, which can effectively 

achieve the desired teaching outcome of comprehending professional knowledge points, expressing them through 

body movements, and ultimately gaining a complete understanding. By employing teaching methods that are 

suitable for children and understanding their psychological characteristics, teachers can effectively deliver 

knowledge by incorporating content that aligns with children's interests. This approach helps to stimulate their 

curiosity and foster a genuine interest in learning. Additionally, teachers should actively listen to children's 

expressions, making them feel understood and valued. This creates an environment conducive to more efficient 

and effective learning.  

4.3 Strict control of teaching methods to enhance teaching quality  

We implement a scientific and systematic approach known as the "six-step approach" in our teaching and 

training methods. This approach consists of the following steps: understanding the students' background 

information in advance, cultivating their interests, establishing a positive emotional connection with the students, 

focusing on personalized learning, setting appropriate goals for each student, and providing effective teaching 

guidance. By implementing these methods, students can learn more efficiently. Regarding children's recitation art 

education, it is crucial to understand the students' basic information, such as their age and knowledge level. This 

knowledge allows teachers to select appropriate teaching materials and articles that are suitable for the specific 

stage of children's learning. It is important to cater the teaching approach to the individual needs of the students, 

rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach for students of all ages. Following the "six-step" teaching 

approach, it is possible to integrate the recitation of the manuscript with the content covered in the language 

classroom. By selecting a relevant piece from the language textbooks of different grades, teachers can provide 

representative examples for students to study. By tailoring the selection to suit the age group of the students, they 

will have a better opportunity to comprehend and appreciate the texts presented to them. It is important to focus 

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 American Journal of Art and Communication 

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1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJAC; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

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on students' comprehension skills, emotional grasp of the text, and with accurate podcasting to improve the quality 

of teaching and learning.  

5. Conclusions  

In conclusion, as society continues to develop, the public's interest in the art of recitation has increased, leading 

to the emergence of a "recitation exclusivity" that caters to different age groups. The market for children's 

recitation art is flourishing, but it has also brought forth several challenges, including distorted recitation effects, 

uniform learning methods, and the lack of standardized education and teaching standards. To address these issues 

and improve the current state of children's recitation art, it is necessary for parents, teachers, and the community 

to collaborate. By working together, we can create better education and teaching methods, as well as an 

environment that fosters the development of children's recitation art. Through these collective efforts, we can 

strive for a brighter future in this field.  

References  

Ma, D, Ren, C.Y. (2020). The conception of recitation art education based on the enhancement of college students' 

core qualities. Journal of Aesthetic Education, 11(05), 39-45.  

Liu, Y. (2019). The application of recitation art in broadcasting and hosting teaching. International PR, (10), 

61+63.  

Yao, S. J. (2021). Imagination in the art of recitation. Colourful Language, (10), 8-9.  

Li, J. (2022). Analysis of the dramatic tendency of contemporary recitation art expression. Art Education, (09), 

169-172.  

Shen, X. Y. (2021). The effect of broadcasting hosting training on children's language expression ability. 

Journalist's Cradle, (06), 54-55.  

Chen, S. Y. (2021). A study of teaching methods for children's broadcasting and hosting training. Data, (09), 88-

90.  

Wang, Y. G. (2018). Introduction to the 21st century on the children's broadcasting and hosting art education 

adaptation and thinking. Communication Research, 2(27), 227.  

Li, Q. Y. (2018). Exploring the existing problems of professional training of social children's broadcasting and 

hosting. Media Forum, (24), 66-67.  

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