Child and Adolescent Cultural-Social Research

Child and Adolescent Cultural-Social Research

The effect of storytelling on enhancing social behavior learning in children and adolescents by utilizing the wisdom of Nahj al-Balagha

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Jafar Valipuor
.PhD in Cultural Sociology sahirad90@gmail.com
10.22083/cssca.2025.540809.1081
Abstract
Introduction: Nahjul-Balagha, a central religious, intellectual, and cultural text for Muslims, has long guided individuals toward happiness, security, and peace due to its comprehensive nature. One notable feature of Nahjul-Balagha is its distinctive rhetorical style, evident in its sermons, letters, and wise sayings. Storytelling, recognized as an effective method for promoting social behavior, provides a scientific approach to strengthen social learning. This study examines how storytelling based on the wisdom of Nahjul-Balagha can influence the social behavior and personality development of children and adolescents.
Method: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with applied objectives and quantitative data. The statistical population comprised members of the Intellectual Development Center for Children and Adolescents in Nowshahr. Initially, 60 participants were selected through simple random sampling. Based on scores from the Torrance Creative Thinking Test, 40 male participants aged 9 to 11 were assigned to two groups of 20: experimental and control. The experimental group participated in storytelling sessions grounded in Nahjul-Balagha’s wisdom. Both groups completed the Torrance Creativity Test before and after the intervention. Data analysis included comparisons of pre- and post-test scores across five variables: fluidity, flexibility, originality, elaboration, and experimentation. Statistical significance was assessed at α = 0.05.
Results: Storytelling emerged as an effective method for introducing children to new concepts and enhancing engagement. Participants actively interacted with the narrative by recalling experiences, asking questions, or supplementing the story, fostering a deeper sense of involvement. Pre-test scores for social behavior learning showed the highest frequency (37.5%) in the range of 75–85 and the lowest (2.5%) below 50. Post-test scores indicated improvement, with the highest frequency (55%) in the range of 85–100 and the lowest (15%) in the range of 75–85. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between experimental and control groups across the measured variables (p < 0.05), confirming the positive impact of storytelling based on Nahjul-Balagha on social behavior learning.
Discussion: The findings indicate that storytelling grounded in Nahjul-Balagha can effectively convey social norms and ethical behaviors to children and adolescents. Consistent with previous studies (Dehghanzadeh et al., 2015; Rahman Doost, 2002), narrative methods that allow active participation promote learning, memory retention, and personal engagement. The quasi-experimental results demonstrate that structured storytelling significantly enhances children’s social behavior scores, suggesting its utility as a pedagogical tool in educational settings.
Conclusion: Storytelling based on the wisdom of Nahjul-Balagha has a measurable and positive effect on children’s social behavior and personality development. Incorporating culturally and religiously meaningful narratives into educational programs can foster ethical learning and contribute to holistic development. This approach underscores the potential of integrating traditional wisdom into modern educational practices.
Keywords
children and adolescents
learning social behavior
storytelling
Wisdoms of Nahj al-Balagha
Subjects
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Child and Adolescent Cultural-Social Research
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 8
Autumn 2025
Pages 159-182