Abstract:
The objective of this study is to identify the Effectiveness of communicating cultural values
through folk tales to children (Storytelling). Folk tales content are rich on cultural values and
good lessons. Therefore using Folk tales on storytelling to children can used as a media to
communicate and inculcate our cultural value's and good lessons to children. In depth
understanding of the the role played by folk tales in cultural communication and their symbolic
communication methods will help to use folk tales in developing child hood. In order to
achieve the objectives, a qualitative analysis was done on the communicating cultural values
through telling folktales (storytelling) to children in Sri Lanka. The Primary data were collected
and analyzed from the 5 selected Sri Lankan folktales and number of 50 children below 10
years old. After story telling done to them and folk tales listened by children questionnaire
related to the cultural values taught in the folk tales asked and answers recorded. Further they
were asked to create and present stories based on presented folk tales and evaluated the
effectiveness of the outcome of storytelling. Further Qualitative data were gathered from 20
parents and educators by conducting focused interviews and discussions with them. Results
from the first shows that folk tales does visual excitement in mind which cause to change the
attitudes and develop the creativity with intrapersonal communication in children. Through the
cultural communication, children acquired the cultural values and principles of the Sri Lankan
society from storytelling of folk tales and it helps to have sound primary socialization within
the child. Except above findings, parents participated on the focus interview revealed that they
don't have enough time to tell stories to children and they are not entraining children with
folktales and hence tend to give electronic devises(Tabs, Phones, Laptops and Etc.) to surf
internet to animated fairy tales and cartoons to substitute with storytelling. Accordingly
children watch and listen fairy tales and cartoons developed in other country with the values
and beliefs of that country rather than watching or listening Sri Lankan folktales.
