Storytelling.
I began with online teaching, chanting and reciting shlokas for our children
during the pandemic. The children loved repeating them. There were some who
could pronounce it right, while some struggled. But everyone gave it their
best. Their dedication was unquestionable. To introduce variation and maintain
interest; I began having a story time near the end of the session.
I felt that simply reading or telling the story online may not hold
their attention long enough. To make it more interesting, I included some
visual cues through pictures. A collection of images from the story. Luckily,
it had the desired effect. The pictures helped me to connect with them, and
discuss colours, people, places, emotions, likes, dislikes, etc. When they saw
the pictures, their curiosity grew. Images of jungles and forests helped to
make the stories more concrete and believable. It also helped improve
comprehension. And the children started enjoying story time. Soon, the sessions
gave the children reasons to interact, share personal experiences, and narrate
colourful stories of their own. For instance, if the story had a pet animal,
every participant talked about their pet. Or a friend’s pet. If the topic was a
party, there were plenty of happy memories to reminisce about, each one
remembering the party they had at home, taking names of friends who came, etc. There
were a lot of heart -to-heart conversations around the topic. Suddenly, there
was a lot more to share and consider.
Some
stories helped me to talk to them about their fears! Overcoming fear of new
things and experiences, the anxiety of differing from their peers. The
stories helped me in teaching them the confidence to admit when they are wrong
and speak the truth, as well as to be self-confident in the face of adversity.
I have also realised the benefits of storytelling go much beyond the perceived
benefits of communication and comprehension. It also encourages empathy and
imagination. When I do a recall of the previous session, it helps revive
memories of both the story and the discussion that centred on it.
During
festival times; I try to usher in the festive mood by sharing stories related
to the festival. It could be a mythological story for Holi, Rakhee, Diwali,
Navratri or Janmashtami. And importantly, a valuable lesson to learn from the
stories. It gradually adds to their wisdom. They get to experience the beauty
and complexities of a different world through the storyteller’s words, gestures,
and visuals.
As a storyteller; it is rewarding when children come up with some unexpected answers showing their interests and likes. Like in the story of Ant and the Dove, when I asked what did they see? One child answered, fish swimming in water. That was more interesting to him than the main characters. In storytelling, there is an emphasis on important qualities, such as problem-solving and dynamic thinking. In the story Think Before You Leap, a hungry fox enters a hole in the tree where someone had hidden the food. “Instead of eating everything, he could have easily packed some."
The story-telling sessions have also brought me a great deal of joy and happiness. The thrill of seeing my young audience captivated by my stories, as well as the exchange of ideas with them, has given me pride in the purpose. As their Padma aunty, I am just as excited about the sessions as they are.
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