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Teaching Children About Peace Amid War; Storyteller Gives Voice to Peace

New York, NY

Sarah Malone, a school social worker in New Mexico, knew something was wrong. Since September 11, 2001, she had noticed increased aggression among children at her school. The run-up to the war in Iraq earlier this year only compounded their troubling behavior. She decided to use one of her many talents — storytelling — to do something about it.

She started telling children stories about peaceful ways to resolve conflict. “I felt inundated by the negative language of terror, fear and war, and was increasingly alarmed at the impact this was having on our nation, particularly our children,” Malone says. “The continual pairing of the word “peace” with the language and images of war sent a mixed message. I yearned to hear peace defined, regularly — in practical terms that both children and adults could understand. I found that telling stories of nonviolent conflict resolution was a great way to teach children what peace means in their everyday lives.”

Malone soon decided that she wanted to spread the message beyond her community; she founded a nonprofit organization and put together a CD of multicultural peace stories for children nationwide. The nonprofit organization Peace Tales (www.peacetales.org) and the CD, “Holding Up the Sky: Peace Tales for Kids” were the result.

“I’ve been amazed at the support I’ve received,” Malone says. “Storytellers, authors and poets gave permission to record their work, musicians donated music, a radio station provided free studio space, an engineer signed on, website designers appeared and the project came together. It’s been an amazing experience.” “My hope is to expose American children to the language and process of peaceful problem solving,” Malone says. “It takes more time — and more words — to resolve everyday conflict peacefully compared to the fist or a well-aimed verbal insult. We, as a nation, need to take the time to teach our children these skills now, assuring them that one person can make a difference. Peace Tales does just that.”

All proceeds from the CD benefit the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, which helps serve children affected by armed conflict, and Peace Talks Radio, a forum for peacemaking and nonviolent solutions.

A second CD for adult listeners is planned.

To order a CD, please go to www.peacetales.org