Developing a storytelling package based on ancient tales and its impact on the cognitive and social skills of slow-learning children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The present study aimed to design a storytelling program based on ancient tales and to examine its effect on the cognitive and social skills of slow-learning children. The research used a mixed-methods approach: in the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 university psychology professors and children’s literature experts from Jahrom, selected through purposive sampling. In the quantitative phase, 30 slow-learning primary school students from Jahrom participated in a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control groups. The storytelling program was implemented for the experimental group over 30 sessions. Data collection tools included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V) and the Social Skills Rating System by Gresham and Elliott (1990). The qualitative analysis identified main and subthemes related to the development of verbal, cognitive, and social skills. Findings showed that the storytelling program significantly improved subscales of cognitive skills (verbal comprehension, reasoning, working memory, and processing speed) and social skills (self-control, empathy, assertiveness, and cooperation). Overall, the storytelling package based on ancient tales proved to be an effective approach for enhancing the cognitive and social abilities of slow-learning primary school children 

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