Storytelling captures the hearts of children

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.