Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to study the effects of storytelling on moral behaviors of preschool children in private schools in Bangkok, as well as other influencing factors and how to promote moral behaviors in long term. The research format was a combination of both quantitative (pre-experimental) and qualitative research (in-depth interview). The researcher used the secondary data provided by Office of the Education Council, Ministry of Education, of which samples were 123 preschool children who studied in private schools in Bangkok. Descriptive statistics and Dependent T-test were used in analyzing and comparing quantitative data, whereas Content Analysis was used in analyzing qualitative data. The results from the pre-experimental research showed that the posttest moral behavior scores became higher than the pretest in all 3 categories (p<0.001). Generosity scores increased the most, followed by self-control and self-reliance, respectively. Likewise, the analysis of in-depth interviews also proved that storytelling acted in 3 major roles of promoting moral behaviors including: 1) to view concrete examples of moral principles, 2) to encourage positive behaviors and 3) to admonish against negative behaviors indirectly. In addition, the content analysis revealed that environment and age were also important external and internal factors affecting moral behaviors of preschoolers. Lastly, the research indicated 7 basic ways that teachers and parents widely used to promote moral behaviors of preschool children in the long run.