The Influence of Stage Dolls on the Development of Empathy in Younger School Students

Review article

Abstract

In today’s time of global change and recessionary crises, the importance of the “little man” in the context of understanding his existential needs and for the purpose of self-realisation is often overlooked. In the torrent of adaptation to these changes of world proportions, man seems to be lost. Neoliberal capitalism, with its culture of narcissism and the cult of individualism, we dare say, creates a culture of ruthlessness and indifference in which we become immune to social tragedies and observers of human suffering. By permeating aesthetic-artistic and empathic features as essential components of what constitutes the essence of man, it is possible to achieve harmonious interpersonal relationships as prerequisites for the first steps towards more successful growth and adaptation of the individual. It is necessary to mention the role of empathy and empathetic and caring thinking, which, along with critical and creative thinking, is an indispensable trinity when it comes to children’s educational process. What constitutes the essence of empathy itself, as an act of humanisation of man, is the imaginative leap, which is a prefix for overcoming social and political obstacles, limitations, marginalisation and distances that are a brake on indulging in other people’s feelings. One of the ways to help express feelings in children is a stage puppet. Through play, the child spontaneously takes on roles to express his or her thoughts, efforts, desires, wills, and feelings in a creative way. Puppetry education is an important component of the child’s overall development, starting from the earliest age when the newborn exercises motor skills all the way to psychosocial development in later life. The application of the stage puppet is wide, so it is used in resolving peer conflicts and discovering new artistic inclinations. This also contributes to education for empathy, mutual respect and the development of social skills. This paper will attempt to show the importance of its use and influence on the development of empathy at a young school age. After the theoretical framework, which explains the importance and role of puppetry and empathy in children’s lives, the methodological approach to action research will present the practical part of the work. This includes drama workshops, as a presentation of the impact of puppetry on the development of empathy in lower grades, with and emphasis on the need to nurture an imaginative leap by indulgence. Through the discussion, we try to expand and re-examine the hypothesis and offer answers appropriate to the problem.