Block 2 :Week 2

During week 2, we did not engage in our usual academic activities as the class was given time space/time to grieve and process emotions due to a funeral. Now I realise that even though that was not a structured lesson, it became a meaningful learning experience. As we were encouraged to express our feelings, reflect and support one another, this highlights the importance of emotional expression, which is also a key element in drama and storytelling. I realised that storytelling is not only about entertainment, but also about processing real-life experiences and emotions.

3.1 The type of stories I remember from my childhood are many folktales, moral stories and those kinds of stories my elders used to tell us. These stories often include animals or characters that represent real-life behaviours. What made these stories memorable were the metaphors used to teach important lessons about respect, kindness and consequences. For example, animals were often used to represent human traits, such as cleverness or greed, which made the message easier to understand and remember. Most of the stories were read just to make use of specific rules, such as if you eat while standing, you won't get full. They used stories that align with those old norms so that we can believe and follow them to avoid consequences.

According to Burns (1993), stories are powerful because they use imagery and metaphor to create meaning beyond the surface. This explains why I still remember these stories today, as they were not just entertaining but also meaningful and relatable. The use of metaphor helped me connect the story to real-life situations, making the lesson more impactful.

3.2 Telling diverse stories with different characters and languages is more important because it allows children to see themselves represented, and they mostly relate and pay more attention because they know the language. The story " Where Stories Come From" shows that stories are shaped by people's identities, culture and experiences. This means that when only one type of story is told, the other voices are excluded.

The discussion from the panel chaired by Gina Mhlophe also emphasised the importance of storytelling in preserving culture and language. When children hear stories in their home language and see characters who look like them, they feel valued and included. It also helps them to develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. 

As a future teacher, I now understand that including diversity in my classroom is important because it will help me create an inclusive environment where all learners feel seen and respected. It also encourages learners to appreciate different cultures and perspectives, which is important in a diverse society like South Africa.

Even though week 2 was different from other weeks, it somehow deepened my understanding of the emotional and cultural role of storytelling. I learned that storytelling is not only used for teaching but also for healing, expression and connection. This is something I will carry into my future teaching practice.

Reference 

Bruner, J.(1993). The culture of education. Cambridge, MA; Harvard University Press.

Mhlophe, G.(1990-present). Storytelling work and literacy initiatives in South Africa. Available.