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What happens when kids tell stories...
The Story of Maha: Everyone is the same but not the same
"Maha is a young Muslim girl who is a bit shy and not like us. Then we discover that Maha likes music just like we do. She joins our band which becomes a hit."
"It was very useful as a teacher to be able to participate and see the children - both as individuals and as a group - from a different perspective."
- TeacherDeath and swastikas… some of the subject matter which children initiate discussions about through story-telling.
The Story of Hugo What makes a good group good?
"Hugo comes to visit. He is embarassed because he knows that he is gay and doesn't want to tell the others. We don't think he should be embarassed about this. We drive go-carts with Hugo and play basketball together. We become friends."
"Important issues emerged when we discussed questions relating to the stories that the children had produced."
- TeacherJohan, the class's 'hopeless case', demonstrates his amazing creativity.
The Story of Adam: Being good enough
"Adam feels small even if he is tall. We call upon the dwarfs to help us to take care of him. Adam feels more confident and eventually dares to enter the swimming competition. He wins a medal."
(Names are fictitious to protect the identity of the children)Oscar, the school's bully, chooses to play a magical bird which watches over others.
Peter, who can never sit still takes the time to draw the most detailed illustration in the story.
"A positive experience in which something new and fun happened. My sense is that my child has been more able to laugh. She liked to share what had happened at school on story-telling days."
- Parent
Image from work with our partner school, Sweden, 2011.
“Play is a happening, a story and children discover what takes the story forward. It gives a basis for later on being able to explain with paper and pen, and for being able to understand the content of a book. Play stimulates children's ability to take initiatives. They must themselves be active, fantasiful and resourceful when they create the content and props for their play. Children can come up with very creative solutions since they are not affected by limitations."
Ylva Ellenby, “Om Barn och Stress och vad vi kan göra åt det” (Natur och Kultur, 1999) - "About Children and Stress and what we can do about it" - our own translation
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