In the globalized society cultural relation skills are vital in the promotion of tolerance and respect in between different individuals. Schools as the initial learning institutions are supposed to nurture this sensitivity in the young learners. Folk tales are one of the most effective methods which are used least frequently to teach the children cultural tolerance. Such fables which are often of great antiquity represent a source of cultural wisdom, ethical and pro-social behaviors. Applying folklore into education enables students grasp other culture systems, overturn stereotype thinking, and embrace fellow human beings.
Building Cross-Cultural Understanding
As stories passed from generation to generation, folk tales give an insight of different cultures’ beliefs, values and practices. Introducing ethnic folk tales from different parts of the world in learning process in schools, educators will be able to offer students a wider perspective of the world. This exposure aids in the disintegration of ethnocentrism where a subject’s culture is seen as the universal culture while the other cultures are seen as the other: strange ones.
For example, African folk tales as a rule involve great attention to the problem of cooperation of the people and their unity for the sake of the common good while Native American legends can provide great attention to the question of the humanity’s relation to the nature. When students read these stories and discuss them, they are able to learn about the role and impact of culture in people’s and their world. They are shocked to find out that every culture has its own perception of the reality of life and any of them is as good as any other. This understanding engulfs people with more curiosity and or appreciation of the other culture instead of fear or misinterpretation.
Breaking Down Stereotypes
A benefit that has been overlooked with the use of folk tales in teaching cultural sensitivity is that is can help realize stereotypes. In many mainstream channels of communication, different cultures are depicted in stereotypical, simple and Monroe like ways especially where the portrayed culture is a colored one or from a developing country. Folk tales present an original story that is related to the communities’ true culture, beliefs, and knowledge.
For instance, Middle Eastern cultures are presented in such a way by media organizations, that viewers mostly get to witness images of confrontation or terrorism.
However, students can learn a more complex and positive perception of these cultures by reading such traditional folk tales as those which are mentioned above. The literature one thousand and one nights contain very great traditions of storytelling with a lot of intelligence and creativity. Whenever these texts are encountered by students, they start questioning their own social prejudices and get an opportunity for unprejudiced perception of the examined culture.
Promoting Empathy Through Shared Human Experiences
Another powerful perspective of folk tales is the focusing on the familiar and the ordinary aspects of one’s life. In this case, it will be crucial to understand that although traditions and norms are different, people’s feelings are the same, which is why such clichés as love, fear, loss, and hope, familiar to everyone, can be recognized in folk tales. To do this, one can take the following steps Given these strands, a teacher can promote students’ empathy.
When students understand that a particular folk tale, originating from a different culture, describes the difficulties which the learners face, or the joy which they can experience in their lives, they are likely to feel empathetic towards the characters and feel that they belong to the story. This relationship fosters empathy because students realize that kids in other countries are similar to them in what they can and cannot get, what they want, and need.
Encouraging Open Discussions About Diversity
These folk tales also create good topics of discussion when teaching or raising awareness on issues to do with Cultural Diversity and sensitivity. When the teacher reads folk tale, it is possible to discuss with students the cultural background of this story and invite children to ask questions and to compare their culture with the culture that is illustrated in the tale. These conversations can make students feel free and open for curiosity and explore new culture without the feeling of prejudice.
Besides, young people in particular, are fluent in folk tales and they tell stories which always contain moral issues that can be upgraded to teach the students on ethic issues, values and even the cultures of the society. For instance, a particular folk tale on greed originating from South America could be followed by a discussion of how people of different culture perceive and respond to issue of wealth and sharing while another on respect for the elderly sourced from East Asia may result in a debate on how families in different cultures are.
Encouraging Multicultural Collaboration in Classrooms
That is the reason when the students from different cultures bring in their own cultural folk tales to their peers, it fosters multiculturalism. Every person is different and the best way of elaborating the concept of cultural diversity with students is to encourage them to tell folk tales that belong to their traditions and cultural values. One of the benefits of this kind of storytelling is that it the students of the minority culture feel accepted and seen while the entire class is exposed to more cultures.
One of the ways that students can work in groups is by allocating them with tasks such as identifying folktales from various cultures and comparing them; identifying major themes and reflecting on lessons that can be derived from such tales. When pursuing these collaborative activities, the skills of team work are built, as well as the tolerance to other cultures.
Reinforcing Positive Cultural Identity
Students from a minority status will benefit much from reading folk tale from their own cultural background since the effects are very overwhelming. These stories affirm their cultural identity hence feel they belong as opposed to being ignored or relegated to a lesser status in a system of education which may not acknowledge their cultural identity. Thus, focusing on various folk tales in class, educators let students know that people of all cultures are important and worth studying. They support the students’ sense of strong culture and the positive self-attitude that can be a part of student’s culture and values.
Conclusion
Folk tales can be described as much more than interesting stories; they are immensely effective and still undiscovered tools for increasing critical regard for culture in schools. Folk tales make students aware of the rich cultural diversity across the world, reduces prejudice, fosters tolerance and respect and offers a platform for proper discussion. As culture and diversity forms a focal part of today’s society, children can be made ready for social competence by use of folk tales.
