The Effectiveness of Storytelling Methods on the Empathy Skills of Young Children

Abstract

Empathy is an important aspect of early childhood social and emotional development that needs to be stimulated from an early age. One learning method that is considered effective in fostering empathy is storytelling. This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of the storytelling method on the empathy skills of early childhood. This study uses a quantitative approach with an experimental design, involving early childhood as the research subjects. Data were collected through structured observation and empathy skills assessment instruments, then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques. The results showed that the application of the storytelling method had a positive and significant effect on improvements in i) the ability to understand other people's feelings, ii) showing concern, iii) responding to social situations more empathetically, iv) the ability to express feelings verbally, and v) the ability to relate the moral values of stories to everyday behaviour. Thus, the storytelling method has been proven to be effective and can be used as an alternative learning strategy in developing empathy skills in early childhood education.