"The neighbor's folktales": Developing intercultural competence through folktales and stories

Abstract

The important role of folktales with regard to the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children is well known. Additionally, research has revealed that folktales and stories can support the development of intercultural competence and empathy. This essay presents action research that employs Turkish folktales and stories with the aim of changing the attitudes of Greek primary-school students regarding the Turk as the "hostile Other." The research showed that folktales may contribute to the development of reflection on national stereotypes and the amelioration of the image of the ethnic Other. © 2018 Bookbird: Journal of International Children's Literature. All rights reserved.