The role of fairy tale therapy/storytelling in the social and psychological development of children with special needs
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https://doi.org/10.26809/joa.2785Keywords:
Fairy Tale Therapy, Special Education, Social Development, Self-Confidence, Self-Expression, Psychological SupportAbstract
This study investigates the impact of fairy tale therapy/storytelling on the self-confidence of children with special needs within their social and psychological development. Fairy tales have historically played a critical role in education and cultural transmission, particularly in supporting children’s imagination, language development, emotional regulation, and social skills. In this context, a phenomenological approach—one of the qualitative research designs—was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants (teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists) working in two special education and rehabilitation centers in Istanbul. Data analysis focused on participants’ experiences with fairy tale therapy, exploring its contribution to self-confidence, communication skills, and emotional processes. Findings suggest that fairy tale therapy strengthens language and communication skills, emotional regulation, and social interaction networks in special education contexts. Notably, the increase in self-confidence is attributed to the symbolic and metaphorical language of fairy tales, which allows children to safely reconstruct unconscious fears and anxieties. Furthermore, children who observe the transformative journeys of fairy tale protagonists appear to develop better problem-solving and self-expression skills. Overall, this study emphasizes that systematic and consistent use of fairy tale therapy for children with special needs not only enhances their self-confidence but also supports social adaptation and coping strategies. Tailoring fairy tale selection to individual needs and extending therapy processes to the home environment through collaboration between parents and professionals are recommended.
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