Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School

Abstract

Background Aggressive behaviors must be addressed in elementary schools. Massage and storytelling can be strategies to deal with aggression because both involve experience exchange and social interaction. Both can decrease stress and anxiety and increase self-esteem. Objective To evaluate the effect of two interventions (massage and storytelling) on aggressive behaviors and academic performance of elementary school children. Method Three groups (n = 35 children in each group) of the second grade participated (aged 6.5–8.1 years). One group received ten extra classes of massage (MG), another group received extra classes of storytelling (SG), and the control group received extra classes of random subjects (CG). Extra classes lasted for 50 minutes, once a week. Aggressive behaviors were recorded on diaries, by the teachers and the coordinator. The frequency of aggressive behaviors and the academic performance of MG, SG, and CG were observed for six months and the groups were compared. Findings ANOVAs evidenced that MG and SG, but not CG, showed a reduction in aggressive behaviors registered by the teachers and coordinator, after the intervention. Academic performance of MG and SC improved after the intervention (p < 0.05).

The Impact of Storytelling on Improving Social Problems, Aggressive Behaviors, and Law-Breaking Behaviors of Primary School Children

“…Some of the present findings are in line with the findings of (Roshan Chesli, 2012), (Gonçalves et al, 2017), (Nasirzadeh & Roshan, 2010), (Patel & Patel, 2017) and Burgess (2006). These studies generally indicate that enhancing social skills and establishing suitable interactions are the most important strategies for correcting the behavior of children with behavioral-emotional disorders.…”

“…Some results of this study are consistent with the findings of Teglasi and Rothman (2001) who found that storytelling served as a beneficial technique to reduce students' communicational and social problems in classrooms. Some findings are also in line with the findings of Gonçalves et al (2017), who concluded that stories helped a narrator establish an emotional bond with listeners. This experience can reduce aggressive behavior in children.…”

“…In general, several studies have confirmed the effect of storytelling on mitigating behavioral problems (Gonçalves, Voos, Almeida, & Caromano, 2017), increasing social interactions (Watts, 2008), improving social skills, resolving behavioral problems (Roshan Chesli, 2012), preventing ODD (Fallahnejad, Kazemi, & Pezeshk, 2018), reducing adolescents' disorders (YavandHasani, Farahbakhsh, & ShafiAbadi, 2014), and increasing children's adaptability (Margalit, 2010). words, the study addressed the question whether storytelling would improve social problems, aggressive behavior, and rule of law breaking behavior among elementary school students.…”

Pediatric Massage Therapy Research: A Narrative Review

“…In a similar paradigm used by another group of researchers, three groups of second grade children including massage, storytelling and control groups were compared on their aggressive behavior and academic performance after ten fifty-minute sessions [32]. In this case, both the massage and storytelling groups showed decreased aggressive behavior and improved academic performance, suggesting that giving children extra attention in itself helps reduce their aggression.…”

O papel do fisioterapeuta na inclusão escolar na educação infantil

“…They can provide information on various conditions, conduct/interpret reports, improve communication between healthcare and education professionals and assist in the access to health resources. They can also provide education professionals information on interventions for children with disabilities 5,6 . In addition, it is essential to focus on the interests/questions of educators to structure more effective programs 7 .…”