Storytelling brings words to life in Auckland Park
The children of Mimosa School, along with their families were treated to Reggionara, a night of beautiful storytelling.
Whether it be theatrical, improvised or just sharing a story, storytelling is one of the most vivid and enchanting ways to draw people in and have them use their imagination boldly through the use of your words.
Recently, Mimosa School hosted Reggionara, this is an evening of storytelling which started in the Italian city, Reggio Emilia, which is also the educational philosophy of the school.
Anne Simmons, a teacher at the school described the night as being one that celebrated stories and storytelling, “In Italy, they actually walk through the streets and tell stories as they go along. Unfortunately, we don’t have a piazza, so we hosting it at the school.” On the day there were three different sections where different sorts of storytelling were held.
Whether it was a finger puppet show hosted by the children, reading of books by parents to the children, or big theatrical pieces, there was something to enjoy at every corner of the Auckland Park-based school.
Parents also played their part in bringing books and the imagination to life. Some even read books written in Italian.
Simmons said storytelling is so important to children as it makes it possible for them to imagine different realities along with this it is also a good way to get information across. “We know that the tradition of African storytelling was used as a way to transport important stories,” she said. Adding that stories could talk about the history a community that is then told in a way that captivates a child.
“Children can learn so much about other worlds from books and they can really engross themselves and feel the emotion of the story and in the same token they can reflect on things in their lives that evoke the same sort of emotion,” she said.
To end this imaginative evening off, a picnic was held for families to enjoy some time together.
