July 2017] Smart partnered with Ericsson to conduct a storytelling session for students of Pagsawitan Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Smart is going to different parts of the country to spark the love for stories and reading among Filipino kids.
They were running around the classroom, and showed no signs of slowing down. But when they heard that it was time for a story, Grades 1 and 2 students of Pagsawitan Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Laguna started sitting – with some of them, lying – on the floor.
For a moment, all squealing and chatting stopped. Everyone listened in rapt attention as volunteers from Ericsson Philippines started telling the story of an imaginary planet that had been eaten up by its own inhabitants.
The activity was part of Smart Communications’ storytelling caravan, which is going to different parts of the country to spark the love for stories and reading among Filipino kids. Smart partnered with Ericsson for this leg of the caravan.
“Their arrival was very timely. They rekindled the love for reading among the kids. This would help us solve the problem of having struggling readers,” said school head Aimee V. Cambel.
She shared that the school has had a storytelling program since November 2016. “Since then, we’ve seen a marked improvement among our pupils. They have become active in class and have lost their inferiority complex. And because of storytelling, they have developed a desire to read.”
Education experts say that storytelling expands children’s vocabulary, develops creative thinking, teaches values, and makes learning more fun.
Indeed, when asked what their favorite part of the afternoon was – which also involved singing, games, drawing, and the turnover of school materials – the students shouted, “Yung kuwento! (The story!)”
The students also said they enjoyed using the tablets brought by their guests, which contained an educational app that featured games and stories. They were happy to know that Smart was turning over a tablet to their school.
Smart has been partnering with education experts and the academe to come up with learning apps that can be downloaded on tablets and smartphones.
Ellen Alarilla, Ericsson volunteer and program manager for Sustainability in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India, said tablets were a good tool to enhance learning.
“The moment we brought out the tablets, the kids became super interested. And it only took them a few seconds to understand what they needed to do. When they were playing the games, you could see that they were thinking hard,” she said.
Alarilla added that Ericsson was honored to be part of the storytelling activity. “It’s the very first activity we have done in the Philippines as part of our employee volunteer program. The activity aligns with our focus on supporting Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education. The storytelling activity allowed us the opportunity and privilege of teaching young children values through simple stories and fun activities. We look forward to collaborating with Smart on more activities.”
Smart has so far brought the storytelling caravan to Baguio, Manila, Bulacan, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Davao, Saranggani, Cebu, and Siargao. The sessions have been attended by hundreds of students. Its next stops will be in Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, and Sorsogon.
Students of Pagsawitan Elementary School in Laguna sit (and lie) still, captivated by the story shared by Ericsson volunteers.
Add new comment