Counteracting Ageism and Learning about Aging through Early Children’s Literature

Life expectancy is increasing worldwide. People are generally not prepared for this long life and have
ageist attitudes that inhibit maximizing the “longevity dividend” they have been given. This increased
longevity places emphasis on the need to counteract ageism and prepare for life’s later years.
Today’s children are tomorrow’s older adults. They need to be prepared to live a long life in an aging
world. Unfortunately, research has consistently shown that even young children evidence ageist
attitudes and these attitudes become more difficult to change as the child grows older. People with
negative attitudes about aging tend to live life accordingly and these attitudes become self-fulfilling
prophecies. A resource that can help to counteract ageism and educate children about aging is early
children’s literature. The concept of ageism, impacts of ageism, the importance of self-evaluation of
one’s attitudes about aging, and resources for locating early children’s literature (Preschool-Primary)
to counteract ageism and learn about aging are presented.