Storytelling has been around as long as humankind. It is one of the most effective ways to communicate an important truth to another person.
Stories remain in our memory longer than facts and figures. Stories create magic and a sense of wonder at the world. Stories teach us about life, about ourselves and about others. Thus, teachers and parents must use stories to teach their children. Besides this, stories can also be used to create awareness among children about various issues.
When doing this, you can keep some points in mind. Firstly, don’t make a story too complicated. Your audience is young, so keep it simple. Secondly, make your ending strong with an important message. Thirdly, try to use characters that the children can relate to. You should also make sure that the story is ‘believable’. Do not twist the laws of the universe. Also invite and encourage the interaction of the audience. Apart from this, you can also use props, music, sound effects etc.
MIEF has been working through these techniques to work with audiences like slum dwellers and school children. We have seen great impact using this process and encourage others to follow these as well. Please do share your experiences too!
Keep it interesting and make their learning fun!