AKIRASCOPE

STORYTELLING

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I do storytelling workshops where participants do creativity based exercises relating to stories and also creating their own stories.  Working with aspects of drama, creative writing and at times a big kaleidoscope projector these workshops have many positive benefits.  These workshops stimulate imagination and creativity Storytelling builds community, brings people together and is a great tool for opening dialogue and communication allowing us to free ourselves from the perception of our life stories.  These workshops build bridges, helping us relate to each other showing is we are not so different after all.

What can storytelling offer?  Children have an innate love of stories. Stories create magic and a sense of wonder at the world. Stories teach us about life, about ourselves and about others. Storytelling is a unique way for students to develop an understanding, respect and appreciation for other cultures, and can promote a positive attitude to people from different lands, races and religions.  Storytelling and intercultural understanding:

There are a number of ways in which storytelling can enhance intercultural understanding and communication. Stories can…

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•    allow children to explore their own cultural roots
•    allow children to experience diverse cultures
•    enable children to empathise with unfamiliar people/places/situations
•    offer insights into different traditions and values
•    help children understand how wisdom is common to all peoples/all cultures
•    offer insights into universal life experiences
•    help children consider new ideas
•    reveal differences and commonalties of cultures around the world

      Other benefits of using storytelling in the classroomStories…

•    Promote a feeling of well-being and relaxation
•    Increase children’s willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings
•    Encourage active participation
•    Increase verbal proficiency
•    Encourage use of imagination and creativity
•    Encourage cooperation between students
•    Enhance listening skills

Commonalities of cultures around the world:

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Stories reveal universal truths about the world. Through stories we see how very different people share the same life experiences and how human nature can transcend culture.