Beyond Words: On World Storytelling Day 2023 & How it Shapes Our Students

World Storytelling Day is an annual celebration of the art of storytelling that is observed on March 20th. This year’s theme, “Together We Can” aims to encourage storytellers to reflect on the need for communities to come together and work towards a common goal, considering events from all over the world. Storytelling has long been recognized as an important means of communicating ideas, values, and cultural traditions from one generation to the next. Storytelling allows us to share ideas, values, and cultural traditions from one generation to the next, and it can have numerous benefits, particularly for children. Many schools recognize the importance of incorporating storytelling into their curriculum and have implemented programs to enhance their students’ learning experience.

At Mutiara Harapan Islamic School, storytelling is used as a means of conveying important moral values and cultural traditions to students. By using storytelling as a tool for teaching, teachers can help students to better understand and appreciate the rich history and traditions of their culture. Storytelling can help to create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment that encourages students to think critically and creatively. Furthermore, storytelling is used in various subjects, such as language arts, social studies. Through storytelling, students can learn important life lessons and develop empathy and understanding for others. By incorporating storytelling into their curriculum, our schools can create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment that supports their students’ academic and personal growth such as:

In our Preschool, teachers often read stories to children twice a week, exposing them to different themes and narratives. This practice helps to develop children’s listening skills, comprehension, and imagination. Additionally, storytelling can foster a love of reading in children as they are introduced to the joys of storytelling from an early age. By hearing stories read aloud, children are exposed to a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures that help to improve their language development.

In Primary school, many schools have implemented reading programs that encourage students to read a certain number of books each semester. These programs not only help to improve literacy skills but also expose children to a wider range of stories and genres. By reading different types of books, children develop a more extensive vocabulary and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives.

In Secondary school, students are encouraged to not only read books but also to create their own works inspired by what they have read. For example, at English Fair, students may be asked to choose a book and create alternative endings, short movies based on the story, or other creative projects that demonstrate their critical thinking and creativity. These types of projects allow students to engage with literature on a deeper level and develop their own interpretations and perspectives.

The benefits of storytelling for children extend far beyond the classroom. Storytelling can help children develop empathy and an understanding of different cultures, as they are exposed to stories and perspectives from around the world. It can also help to improve communication skills, as children learn to articulate their thoughts and ideas through storytelling.

Then back to the theme of “Together We Can” for World Storytelling Day 2023 highlights the importance of community and collaboration in achieving our goals. Through storytelling, children can learn to work together, appreciate diversity, and develop important skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. It is up to us as educators, parents, and community members to continue to support and encourage the art of storytelling for future generations.

MHIS believes that incorporating storytelling into the curriculum has numerous benefits and a significant impact on children’s growth and development. By embracing the power of storytelling, schools can create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment that supports their students’ for students at all levels of education. From developing listening skills and comprehension in Preschool to fostering creativity and critical thinking in Secondary school, storytelling has a sigademic and personal growth.