Block 2 :Week 1

This week, I was unable to attend class because I was sick, but I read the story "Towergirls and the Nursery" and reflected on its key ideas.

Storytelling is an effective learning medium because it allows learners to connect emotionally and understand deeper meanings. In the story, the lesson of love, care and growth is not directly told but experienced through Towergirl's journey. As Bandura noted, learners acquire new behaviour more effectively through observation and modelling than through verbal instruction alone. So that means by listening to the story and noting that most lessons were not just talked about, but that the Towergirl was expressing them, the children would like to try them too, and that means learning will take place. This makes learning more meaningful and memorable, as it engages imagination and feelings rather than just talking things out loud.

Furthermore, the story highlights the importance of patience, care and attentiveness in teaching. Towergirls' growth occurs through support, observation and gentle guidance rather than control. This reflects the role of the teacher in creating a safe and nurturing environment, especially for learners who may experience trauma and stress. However, while this approach is valuable, it is also important to recognise that some structures and guidance are still essential. As a future teacher, I would apply this by using storytelling in my classroom to introduce lessons, followed by guided discussions and activities that help learners reflect and apply what they have learned.

According to George Bruns in 101 Healing Stories, stories benefit young people by promoting healing, developing emotional awareness, and supporting cognitive and social development. Stories provide a safe and indirect way for children to explore difficult emotions without being judged. They also stimulate imagination, improve communication skills and help children learn values and coping strategies through identifying with characters and situations.

As for me, I do agree with Bruns ' perspectives as it aligns with broader educational theory. For example, Vygotsky highlights the importance of social interaction and cultural tools such as language and storytelling, and learners can construct meaning and understanding within a supportive context. In the tower girl story, the lesson of care, patience and natural growth is experienced rather than directly instructed, which deepens understanding. Therefore, Bruns' view is both theoretically supported and practically relevant, which makes me mostly agree with him.

As a teacher, storytelling will be my favourite method because it not only helps children with comprehension but also focuses on emotions, social and language development. It helps learners improve vocabulary, sentence construction and communication skills. Storytelling also encourages creativity and active participation, which helps a teacher to know each learner's character quickly. Moreover, it is an effective strategy for promoting holistic development in the classroom.



Reference list

Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood cliffs, Nj; prentice Hall.

Bruns, G. (1993).101 Healing stories: using metaphors in therapy.New York: Wiley

Vygotsky, L.S., (1978).Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

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