Didactic Literature for Children on the Suphasit Son Dek and the Cpap Kun Cau: A Comparative Study of Teaching Strategies

Abstract

This research article examines didactic literature aimed at educating children in Thailand and Cambodia, with a focus on comparing the teaching strategies employed in Suphasit Son Dek (Thai Proverbs for Children) and Cpap Kun Cau (Khmer Teachings for Children). Both texts are anonymous works designed to instill moral and ethical values in children, with content rooted in Buddhist scriptures such as Lokaniti, Dhammaniti, and the Tipitaka. Shared instructional methods found in both texts include direct teaching (both prescriptive and prohibitive), the use of proverbs and canonical teachings, and figurative language—such as simile and metaphor—to make abstract Buddhist principles more accessible to young minds. Suphasit Son Dek uniquely incorporates didactic storytelling, drawing from Jataka tales, Buddhist canonical stories, and Thai folktales to illustrate moral lessons. In contrast, Cpap Kun Cau employs rhetorical questions to encourage critical thinking and moral reasoning among children. Additionally, some proverbs appear in both cultural contexts, reflecting a shared linguistic heritage, similar values, and common religious foundations. These literary works thus serve not only as tools for moral instruction but also as evidence of cultural interconnectedness between Thailand and Cambodia within the framework of Theravada Buddhism.