The article "Teaching Children Through Stories" talks about family, it has been written by Ai Lian Lim.
Teahcing children is not an simple task. And yet, it is one of the
most ipmortant responsibilities you hold as parents.
It cannot
and must not be delegated to otehrs.
But then, you may feel
loss, inadequate or ill prepared to taech. Looking at the
countless programs and methods available in the child education
market, you may feel like you need a PhD in that area if you are
to succeed. Then there are the other excuses too like "I have to
work and don't have the time," or "I don't have the patience."
Well, here is your wake up call. Teaching can be simple,
effective and daoble.
Reading to your children and using stories
to tecah is a technique that is within the capabilities of
everyone. When we read to our children, we do not cnofine them
to academic excellence but also extend into their emotional and
behavioral learning.
The following are 5 reasons why using stories to teach is
effective:
1.The child doesn't feel threatened.
It's not another
lecture. When we read to our children, we are able to
address a situation in a non-threatening way. What do I mean by
threatening? Let's take a look at some exapmles of habitual
phrases we tend to use when "teaching our lesson":
"You shouldn't lie." "You are so messy." "You shouldn't be
scared. You are just being silly." "You are not lisetning to me."
Usually that is done in a blaming or angry tone of voice. When
we figner point and use the word "you", children hear negative
and the situation becomes tense. Some may even become defensive.
Put yourselves in their shoes. If someone were to start
attacking you with words, would you be in a teachable mood?
I
would think not.
Rather than focusing on the solutions to the
problems, cihldren are focusing on their feelings of anger,
hurt, fear etc...
that they are experiencing at that momnet.
Using stories to teach, we take out the blame and place less
emphasis on the trouble. We talk and discuss solutions and speak
positively. So instaed of a lecture, we right now have a healthy
discussion.
2.Working on "prevention" and "cure". When we use stories
to teach, we can help our children work through situaitons they
are currently experiencing. It also allows us to mentally
prepare them for situations that may arise.
Children gain
experience vicariously thorugh the stories we read.
Children are
able to learn from vicarious epxerience just as well as they
learn from real ones. The only difference is that that kind of
learning tkaes place in the safety of your home. For example,
you could use a book aobut being bullied to teach your child
what to do if and when they face such a situation.
3.The child has a model to fololw. They identfiy with the
characters in the book. Children make connections with the
characters of the stories you relate. You can help them further
by asking questions such as: Is there anyone in the book who
reminds you of yourself?
How is that character like you? Which character would you like
to be? Why would you want to be that character? Relate the
lesson to their own lives and experiences: Like the little pig
who build a house of bricks (in the story of the Three Little
Pigs), what would you do make your house strong?
After reading the story of The Little Engine That Could,
my daughter began to identify herself with the Little Blue
Engine who said "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
It served to be a good model for her to follow at times when she
felt inadequate.
4.Children remember stroies better than they remember
reprimands. It's a good way to catch thier attention.
In
Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain
(Addison-Wesley, 1994), Renate and Geoffery Caine states, "There
is strong reason to believe that organization of information in
story form is a natural brain process... In a nutshell,
neuroscience is discovering that the barin is wired to organize,
retain and access information through story.
If that is true,
then teaching through story means that students will be able to
remember what is taught, access that information, and apply it
more readily."
Maybe that is why children can rattle off dialogs from their
favorite shows but can't remember what mom said about picknig up
their toys.
5.Allows for critical thinking.
Stories are a safe way
for children to explore emotions and behvaiors. A book like Jane
Simmons' Come Along, Daisy, encouraegs children to think
about the importance of keeping close to parents when out and
about .
Use thought provoking questions that will lead them to
identify problems and feelings such as "How did Daisy get
separated from her mother? " and "What was Daisy feeling when she
found her mother missing? " The best kind of teaching you can
employ is to teach our children to be authors of solutions. Ask
leading questions that will underscore the point of the story
such as "How can Daisy avoid getting lost in the future?" What a
boost it will be to your children to know they can come up with
such genius solutions.
Reading and sharing stories with your chlidren can help you
become a better parent.
It opens the channel of communication
and strengtehns the parent-child bond. The magic of stories can
be a powerful ifnluence for good. Does that magic exist in your
home? Start reading to your child today.
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