G’Day everyone!
This is my fourth post, and I would like to explore a little bit the emotional outcomes of reading and writing fairytales and other stories in the classroom.
Fairytales are usually seen as something innocent, created for children by adults, with the only aim of being amusing. Sometimes, we try and go deeper into the stories, and the result is that we get to the conclusion that they also transmit values and pieces of advice. But my question is: Is it everything fairytales have to offer? My answer is a big round NO.
When the writer creates a story, and when it is a good one, all of a sudden the characters are brought to life. They have something to say, they are somebody, and the reader or the listener will connect with their emotions, feel sorry when they are sad, compassionate when they suffer, full of joy when they succeed. And all of this wouldn’t be possible without empathy.
I am sure that all of you understand this term perfectly, but just in case, let me introduce you a definition by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary , according to which, Empathy is
the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings.
Why is it important?, and how is it related to health? It is important because when we are teaching literature, or English, or whichever subject you prefer, we are also transmitting values, helping our pupils develop to their full potential, and it includes allowing them to be themselves, to build self-confidence and to be able to understand others’ needs, which is a proof of mental health.
What does it have to do with Fairytales? In fact, a lot. In order to be told or read, a tale needs to be created. And it is at that point of creation, where the pupils have to imagine their characters, and to provide them with a personality to make them deeper and catchy for the reader. Focusing on the character’s aims, dreams and hopes, fears and faults, the pupils will use the language they know, the literary figures we have taught them, but also their own experience about life.
For example, a kid who is happy, will more likely create happy characters, and it is possible that only good things happen to them. On the other hand, if another child is going through something, it is possible that this process of creation can help him/her to externalize needs, fears, or experiences, just like they were the character’s and not theirs.
This is one reason that makes children prefer stories whose characters have something in common with them. If they go on an adventure, so are the readers. If they become friends with a vampire, suddenly it turns from a horrifying creature, to the best of companies. If they are mice who can cook, they will want to be super chefs.
And what about you? can you see any other reason to consider fairytales good for health? I am looking forward to read them!
Hi Loli,
First of all, thank you for sharing your opinion with us. I really enjoyed reading your post as I agreed with everything you wrote.
I was thinking about some of the ideas that you commented on and I have never thought about the empathy as a healthy aspect to work on through fairy tales. As primary teachers, we should make sure that we transmit the right values to our students.
I noticed that the emotional part of ourselves is never worked on at school. No one teaches us how to control our emotions and what to do when we just want to shout or do something bad because is what we mentally want to do. Perhaps introducing this into a school curricular could have great benefit to each student. I think that with Fairy Tales we can engage students to control themselves when they misbehave. We can also consider stories that benefit the child´s state of mind.
I wonder if any tale has been written that has a character that helps his or herself or another character that controls the reactions and personal emotions of people. I think I am going to have a little butchers´ for that now.
Great post,
Lourdes
Hi Lourdes,
It’s a pleasure having you among my readers, so thanks for taking your time and commenting on this post. I would like to begin answering your last question. In my opinion, there is a great deal of our personality in what we write, and at least for me, it works as an escape valve and has a healing effect on my mood.
Therefore, I would say that there are tales (on its broadest sense), with characters (first person, third person) that could eventually help both the writer and the reader. It’s a matter of connection. As I wrote in my post, if you connect with the character (empathise with it), you will go on the same path it’s covering, and suffer or enjoy at the same time that it’s doing it.
I partially disagree when you say that “the emotional part of ourselves is never worked on at school”. Although it is quite common, I understand that every time the teachers speak to their pupils, they are transmitting information about what is considered correct, and it includes dealing with feelings. Sadly, most of the times, the message says loudly Ignore them!, but there are teachers out there that are not afraid of being educators at all costs, and approach the pupils without a shield.
Fortunately, emotional education is being taken into account more and more nowadays. I would suggest you to read (if you haven’t already done it!) Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence. It offers an overview of what has been historically ignored, and some ideas that could be applied to teaching.
Once again, thanks for commenting