Fantasy stories take us back to the times when humans were a more helpless part of the natural world, troubled by the big questions. Where do we come from? Where do we go? Children want to ask those questions and so they easily embrace the conventions of fantasy, used since the very beginnings of storytelling, to confront what frightens and enchants them.
The question of where we come from and where we’re going can be addressed by introducing children to ghosts and ghouls, for example. The uniquely human experience of being separated from all other forms of life on this planet can be bridged by imagining their human skin turning into fur or feathers.
Fantasy is not mere childish escapism. There is a political aspect to it – we won’t try to change this world unless we are able to imagine another reality. One could say all change starts with fantasy.
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Reading the stories of other cultures helps children to understand their fears, their hopes, their religious beliefs and the landscapes that formed their culture. Only imagination can let us wear the skin of the others and question our perceptions of the world.
What does it feel like to be blind? To be clumsy, sick or poor? How is the world different if you are beautiful or famous? How does it feel if you’re afraid of your own father? If school makes you feel stupid? Getting children to imagine something and write it down, paint it or turn it into music will help them and others to see the world differently.
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Fantasy can teach children to notice things and deepen their interpretation of what they see. Ask children to consider: why do we wear red one day and blue another? Does sadness have a colour? Does joy? What colour does our best friend have if we close our eyes? What animal would they be? What animal am I? And which one would I like to be? Who would be a predator in your classroom? Who would be a bird?
Cornelia Funke
Source:The Guardian
