1. Challenge & Selection

I teach literature to children with various mental illnesses. And Storytelling is the tool that allows  you to inspire children to learn something new, despite the fact that it is given to them with great  difficulty. With the help of literary examples and personal experience, I try to establish contact  with children at a level that they understand. I try to design stories for that specific audience. It  may not connect to ordinary people, it may not always make sense to us, it is not using words that  we might be familiar with. But it is things that my special audience feels and understands.

When children feel this connection, when they understand you, they gradually begin to open up  and tell their stories. Such interaction allows them to feel more individual and feel the weight of  their voice, and me, in turn, hear them and understand what is important and interesting for them.  This level of communication allows us to develop new, more effective approaches to special  children. Storytelling allows to put human beings and their experience front. This tool helps to  build connection about a piece of information that we are trying to share.

2. Application

One day at school there was a contest of readers, in which all the children had to read a poem by  one of the Russian poets. Children have always loved these kinds of events and were for the sake  of showing themselves on stage. However, one of the children had a strong fear of the stage and  even a small audience. He completely refused to speak, he began a panic attack, he could not find  a place. I never tried to find out exactly what he was afraid of, but the boy always remained silent.  Then I decided to tell him my story of failure on the stage and how I tried to overcome it. When I  was a 9-year-old, I went to the music school to play the piano. But sitting down at the piano, I  could not remember a single chord. I just sat without moving the instruments and could not start  playing. My speech did not take place.     After this situation, I did not dare to enter the stage again for a long time, it seemed to me that  failure again would overtake me. But at the same time I realized that I can not always be afraid to  make this mistake again, especially since I was very fond of playing in public and despite the fear,  I wanted to share my music with others. And despite the fear, I still forced myself to go on stage  and play what I was taught. Emotional return from their personal growth was incredible. Believing  in myself again, I experienced a surge of positive energy and happiness.     The child calmed down from my told and felt that it can be revealed to me, a common problem  binds us all. Then he told that he also once failed during the performance and is now very much  afraid that the situation will repeat. After all, then for this failure he was punished. We agreed with  him that we will try to compete in the contest until it turns out. And for every attempt I will give  him a small reward, no matter what this attempt was - successful or not. Child arranged such a  layout. And despite his fear and nerves, he nevertheless told his poem. And in my opinion, he did  it perfectly.

3. Insight & Approach

By applying Storytelling design tool, we are building a closer relationship with a human. Because  emotions and feelings are born from stories. Stories affect our subconscious quite differently than  orders, facts, logical explanations or philosophical reflections. People are attracted by sincerity,  openness and truthfulness. after listening to your story, a person automatically imbues with  confidence, and it becomes much easier for you to convince, motivate or inspire him. and in the  case of this child, who was afraid of making a mistake again. It was important for him to hear that  there is nothing shameful about this. What each of us falls into such situations. And it is important  to constantly look for a way out of them.    Each time, using the Storytelling tool in communication with people, I'm convinced that it is very  effective. And it does not matter who it is about, about special children, or not. Everyone needs an  individual approach and attention. As soon as you pay attention to a person and let him show  himself by opening up in response, all his difficulties acquire a different, less dramatic character.


1 . Challenge & Selection I teach literature to children with various mental illnesses . And Storytelling is the tool that allows you to inspire children to learn something new , despite the fact that it is given to them with great difficulty . With the help of literary examples and personal experience , I try to establish contact with children at a level that they understand . I try to design stories for that specific audience . It may not connect to ordinary people , it may not always make sense to us , it is not using words that we might be familiar with . But it is things that my special audience feels and understands . When children feel this connection , when they understand you , they gradually begin to open up and tell their stories . Such interaction allows them to feel more individual and feel the weight of their voice , and me , in turn , hear them and understand what is important and interesting for them . This level of communication allows us to develop new , more effective approaches to special children . Storytelling allows to put human beings and their experience front . This tool helps to build connection about a piece of information that we are trying to share . 2 . Application One day at school there was a contest of readers , in which all the children had to read a poem by one of the Russian poets . Children have always loved these kinds of events and were for the sake of showing themselves on stage . However , one of the children had a strong fear of the stage and even a small audience . He completely refused to speak , he began a panic attack , he could not find a place . I never tried to find out exactly what he was afraid of , but the boy always remained silent . Then I decided to tell him my story of failure on the stage and how I tried to overcome it . When I was a 9 - year - old , I went to the music school to play the piano . But sitting down at the piano , I could not remember a single chord . I just sat without moving the instruments and could not start playing . My speech did not take place . After this situation , I did not dare to enter the stage again for a long time , it seemed to me that failure again would overtake me . But at the same time I realized that I can not always be afraid to make this mistake again , especially since I was very fond of playing in public and despite the fear , I wanted to share my music with others . And despite the fear , I still forced myself to go on stage and play what I was taught . Emotional return from their personal growth was incredible . Believing in myself again , I experienced a surge of positive energy and happiness . The child calmed down from my told and felt that it can be revealed to me , a common problem binds us all . Then he told that he also once failed during the performance and is now very much afraid that the situation will repeat . After all , then for this failure he was punished . We agreed with him that we will try to compete in the contest until it turns out . And for every attempt I will give him a small reward , no matter what this attempt was - successful or not . Child arranged such a layout . And despite his fear and nerves , he nevertheless told his poem . And in my opinion , he did it perfectly . 3 . Insight & Approach By applying Storytelling design tool , we are building a closer relationship with a human . Because emotions and feelings are born from stories . Stories affect our subconscious quite differently than orders , facts , logical explanations or philosophical reflections . People are attracted by sincerity , openness and truthfulness . after listening to your story , a person automatically imbues with confidence , and it becomes much easier for you to convince , motivate or inspire him . and in the case of this child , who was afraid of making a mistake again . It was important for him to hear that there is nothing shameful about this . What each of us falls into such situations . And it is important to constantly look for a way out of them . Each time , using the Storytelling tool in communication with people , I 'm convinced that it is very effective . And it does not matter who it is about , about special children , or not . Everyone needs an individual approach and attention . As soon as you pay attention to a person and let him show himself by opening up in response , all his difficulties acquire a different , less dramatic character .