Folklore: one of media to teach children morality

by Azys Syaiful Anwar

Folklore is kind of tales which is related to culture and traditional values. Fable, fairy tales or short story may be listed as folklore. Folklore is usually used to convey some wise message while entertaining children. Since its educative purpose, folklore still exists and even popular for children. It is mostly told before children having sleep or in other occasion. Through folklore, children will intensionally acquire more morality values. The main message of tales is that justice and goodness will always win.

Folklore may give impact for children. It can be a media of conveying the basic of good behavior because it is fun and doesn't force children to do something. It is naturally taught them how they should be through some message implied there. The character of the tales may give perfect example of the effect of acting bad or good. In the 'Malin Kundang' tales, for example, children will know the bad effect of mutiny the parents, that is becoming statue as what happened to Malin Kundang.

In addition, folklore is easily persuading children to do good things. Some say that folklore, or fairy tales can improve the intelligence, emotional and spiritual value of children. Moreover, it can develop children's morality that may lead them to be able to determine the negative or positive of attitudes, values or behavior. It directly influence the way of children solving problems. Besides , it educates children to be more wise and respect to their surrounding, such as their friend, parents and their environment.

Folklore also emphasizes on the children imagination. I have ever heard that imagination is more powerful than the reality. Imagination may important to children development. It can improve the intelligence and give some good values to children. Through folklore, parents can teach children responsibility of becoming social creatures. Morality, religious, cultural values that may implied in the folklore giving them perfect modeling of becoming a real human.