Overview
- Authors:
-
-
Emma Parfitt
-
Edinburgh, UK
- Examines how young people can learn about themselves and their peers through storytelling
- Uses empirical and qualitative data from storytelling projects in UK schools to see how storytelling can influence learning
- Draws upon a wide variety of disciplines, including folklore, sociology, education and philosophy to examine the effects that stories can have upon the lives of young people
Access this book
Other ways to access
Table of contents (6 chapters)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Back Matter
Pages 185-204
About this book
This book explores the lives of young people through the lens of storytelling. Using extensive qualitative and empirical data from young people’s conversations following storytelling performances in secondary schools in the UK, the author considers the benefits of stories and storytelling for learning and the subsequent emotional, behavioural and social connections to story and other genres of narrative. Storytelling has both global and transnational relevance in education, as it allows individuals to compare their experiences to others: young people learn through discussion that their opinions matter, that they are both similar to and different from their peers. This in turn can facilitate the development of critical thinking skills as well as encouraging social learning, co-operation and cohesion. Drawing upon folklore and literary studies as well as sociology, philosophy, youth studies and theatre, this volume explores how storytelling can shape the lives of young people through storytelling projects. This reflective and creative volume will appeal to students and scholars of storytelling, youth studies and folklore.
Reviews
“This book is an exceptional study of how storytelling cannot only help us understand children’s experiences under difficult conditions, but also how children use storytelling to cope with problems facing them in their daily lives. Dr Parfitt has a firm grasp of the art of oral storytelling and interdisciplinary methods, and develops keen insights into the emotional behaviour of children as they tell and listen to stories. Her book is a significant contribution to the fields of childhood studies and folklore and will interest anyone concerned with improving relations with children in schools and at home.” (Jack Zipes, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, USA)
“Beautifully written, with imaginative metaphors from the stories themselves, she offers really accessible theory and vivid compelling accounts infused with the real voices and personalities of the young people themselves. This is not a manual, but something more precious, a guide to reflective practice to inspireteachers and storytellers practically in the classroom.”(Nicola Grove, Founder of OpenStoryTellers, UK)
Authors and Affiliations
-
Edinburgh, UK
Emma Parfitt
About the author
Emma Parfitt is is an independent storytelling researcher, and the author of Seascape, a collection of short stories based on the enclosed research. Her research focuses on the importance of stories in education and how these in turn can shape who we become.
