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Want to stimulate learning? Use creative storytelling

by BEV TWILLMANN/Special to The Press
| March 25, 2014 9:00 PM

Many years ago Truth walked this land as a man. He was naked, but felt the truth could be heard no other way. Unsurprising, people were scandalized and embarrassed and would slam their doors in his face, snicker behind his back, and not allow their children to get anywhere close to him. He could never get people to stop and listen to what he had to say, and this saddened and confused him, as after all, he only wanted to share the truth he carried with him.

At that same time, Truth's sister, Story, was also walking the earth as a human. She had fine silks and cottons that draped her lovely body, jewels in her hair, bracelets covering her arms, and golden necklaces around her neck. Story had fine leather moccasins that enveloped her tiny feet. She was a beautiful vision who drew crowds of all ages to her sharing of stories. Children especially loved Story. Wherever she went, young ones would reach out and touch her, sit at her feet and stare into her magical eyes while they listened and hung on every word she had to say. Then they would beg for more! She was invited into homes, schools, to celebrations - wherever people gathered, Story was always there teaching her vast knowledge by sharing her stories.

Truth saw the massive crowds that Story drew and knew the people were listening to her every word. He grew frustrated and depressed that he was not able to get people to listen at all, and Story's words were seen as powerful and full of meaning. So he decided to visit his sister, and ask for her help. When he arrived at her home, she greeted him with a big smile and hug, leading him into her living room. There she listened to his sad commentary regarding his rejections and frustrations in trying to get the truth out to the people. Without saying a word, Story led Truth up to the attic and pulled out a huge trunk. She opened it and took out yards and yards of cottons and silks, and began to cover Truth's naked body. She placed many bracelets up and down his arms, rings on his fingers, and golden chains around his neck. She completed his look by covering his feet with the finest of leather. Then she stood back and looked.

"Now," she told Truth, "go out into the world and spread your knowledge; people will listen and learn."

Truth felt awkward and uncomfortable with his coverings, but did as his sister had told him. And she was right. People ran to Truth now, invited him into their homes, brought their children to him and all sat and listened with great intent. The children especially loved him, reaching out with their curiosity and interest, sitting close to him so as not to miss any of his words. And it's really no different today; people will always run from the naked truth, but will flock when he's bedecked as a story.

Storytelling and education has been my career for over 35 years. I often use stories as a tool to make a point, to transfer information to a listener, to share facts and for many other uses, especially in helping others to learn. I feel this is a tool many educators and parents should be using daily with their children and with each other, for it energizes learning and comprehension while maintaining the interest of the listener.

One really has to ask the question, are we in this country "doing our part" in preparing well for "tomorrow" when we aren't providing the youth of today the best education possible, when we aren't stimulating a child to grow with their curiosity and creativity? Because of my time in the educational system, both as a teacher and as a nationwide presenter of educational and storytelling programs, I am often asked how we can better serve our children in their educational experiences. If I had to sum it up in one concept I would state that without a doubt, allowing for and stoking the creative flow in children is the key to their learning and the foundation to their love for the acquisition of knowledge.

Remembering "Truth and Story" from above, we can and want to know only so much about something or someone when just facts (Truth) are present. We are motivated for additional information in a comprehensive way through the use of metaphor (Story). In this pathway we are allowed to understand on a deeper and more provoking level. We are able to make the connection with the tangible (information and fact) and the intangible (emotional connection, universal concepts), which is our personal interpretation of the knowledge presented. And isn't the goal of true learning to ignite the student's experience? To prove this theory, try the following exercise:

Provide the most complete data possible, very specific facts about a person (place or thing) to a group: height, weight, date/ time and place of birth, color of eyes/hair/skin, etc. (the kind of facts {Truth} the police ask when someone is missing or you are describing a location). Then ask the same group you're speaking to how interested they are in that person (place or thing). Likely as not, few will desire further information.

Then using the same person (place or thing), have them answer the question "What if I (it) were a__________(color, fabric, dance, landscape, city, vehicle, animal, piece of furniture, writing instrument, etc.)? These answers are not to be "favorites," but to be metaphors (Story) of their personality instead. It is guaranteed the group will be more interested in that same person (place or thing) now, and many comments and questions will be raised (stimulation of learning) by these metaphoric answers.

Think of the facts (Truth) as grains/bits and pieces of corn, or wheat, etc. It's hard to hold and carry in your hand. But if you weave a basket of story, it carries and holds the facts in your mind, like a basket carrying the grain. People forget facts but remember stories.

Next time: Turning on the Creative Faucet

Bev Twillmann is an award-winning educator, storyteller and workshop presenter who believes in the power of creativity to educate all ages. For more information go to www.interpretivevoices.net or contact Bev at Bevtwillmann@gmail.com.