Storytelling captures the hearts of children

By Rita A. Widiadana

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of children clapped and cheered, shrieking with laughter as WeEs Ibnu Say ended his story.

Thanks to his theatrical and narrative talents, this storyteller captivated the minds and hearts of the children with the simple tale Nis dan Bulan (Nis and the Moon) at a campsite in Ragunan, South Jakarta, last week.

Sitting cross-legged around a small stage, the children asked the storyteller to tell again the story of a young girl and the moon.

Growing up in the advanced technology era, children in Jakarta and other big cities seldom hear traditional stories such as Si Malin Kundang, Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, or Si Kancil. Their minds are occupied with images of the West's Superman, Batman and Robin, Spiderman, and Mighty Morphine Power Rangers, and Japan's Satria Baja Hitam (the Black Knight).

For the many Jakartans who prefer to take their children to air-conditioned malls or the movies, it was quite unusual to see hundreds of children gathered in one place just to listen to a storyteller. But, such a rare event did occur during the National Storytelling Week, held from Oct. 11 through Oct. 19.

"Despite excessive exposure to Western forms of entertainment, our children still actually love traditional stories," said WeEs.

The event was aimed at campaigning storytelling and reintroducing Jakarta's children to an array of almost-extinct traditional games.

For nine days, children of all social levels shared a unique and exciting experience of playing traditional games, listening to imaginative stories, creating and decorating scarecrows, making wooden toys and handicrafts and other creative activities.

"We have a goal to bring back a 'lost world' to many urban kids and their parents as well. The current economic and technological advances have robbed children of the opportunity to get close to their parents, others in society and to explore the world around them," said WeEs, also member of the organizing committee.

Riris K. Toha Sarumpaet, an expert in child literature, supported WeEs's argument. Modern parents, she said, have to admit that they spend less time with their children. "Hard competition in the workplace has forced many parents to put priority on their work before their children," Riris said.

The increasing number of dual-income families has also reduced parental roles in childrearing, she said.

Parents, who are supposed to teach their children their first lessons, including on language, social skills and moral values, have to rely on other people to carry out their parental duties, she said.

"Children learn their first lessons from other sources, from their babysitters, teachers, books, television and other media," she said.

Many parents, she added, tend to spoil their children by showering them with gifts to compensation for their absences. Riris also said modern parents are overprotective toward their children.

Parents, for example, prefer to have their children watching cartoons on television or doing solitary activities like playing computer and video games. Children seldom play with others their own age.

Rahardjo, a father of three boys, said that he is reluctant to let his children play outside their home. "The traffic is too dangerous for children. Besides, people here are too busy. We rarely meet our neighbors," said Rahardjo, who lives in the Permata Hijau complex, South Jakarta.

The outcome of this childrearing method was apparent at the event. Children of well-to-do parents were too shy in joining the crowd. On the other hand, youngsters from nearby slums looked at ease and were happy climbing trees, playing hide-and-seek and running and jumping on the grass.

One mother was became very anxious watching her daughter chasing rabbits and chickens in a corner of the campsite.

"Be careful not to touch those dirty rabbits!" yelled the mother.

A 67-year-old grandmother, Maria Malonda, who accompanied her grandsons to the event, expressed her excitement. "This is a really great event for children. I am so worried about my grandsons. They are physically so inactive. I keep warning their parents to let them grow a bit 'wild'. Look, they just learned how to play marbles with some boys here," she said proudly.

The grandmother felt that more children should attend such events, which would enrich their lives.

After playing games, the children listened to stories from the country's 27 provinces.

Children were encouraged to actively take part in each story by, for instance, summarizing a story.

Lenny, a preschool teacher, commented that such an activity really encouraged children to express their opinion, imagination and feeling toward one subject. "I will use this technique with my students," Lenny added.

Marty, a successful businesswoman and mother of two, realized the power of storytelling after she took her daughters to the event.

Surprise

"I was surprised to see how my daughters sat still and listened attentively to the storytellers, even though they did not fully understand the stories ," exclaimed Marty.

Dedicated educator Ibu Kasur explained that wherever children live, they have something in common. They all love to hear stories, especially from their parents.

"But today, most parents are not as responsive to their children's needs, and others don't have the time to do so," she said.

She reminded that storytelling is not merely reading a story to a child. It is a time for companionship and conversation between parents and their children. During story time, parents and children may develop a long-lasting physical and emotional bond.

She also said that good stories can stimulate children's minds and imaginations. They bring a part of the world closer to the children so that they can take a better look and have a better understanding of people, events and objects in the world around them.

Riris said that it will help children develop their language and literary skills.

"You don't have to be a good storyteller. Sometimes, a child wants to hear the same story every night. My mother was not a good storyteller, but even now, I remember all the stories she told me when I was a child," recalled Riris.