A NÉPMESE HATÁSA AZ ÓVODÁSKORÚ GYERMEKEKRE
THE IMPACT OF FOLK TALES ON PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the impact of folk tales on the linguistic and cognitive development of preschool-aged children. The primary objective of the research is to explore the role of regularly listening to folk tales in the development of children’s relational vocabulary, speech competence, general vocabulary, and imagination. The empirical investigation was conducted in two preschool groups: in the experimental group, Hungarian folk tales were told daily over a one-month period, whereas in the control group storytelling followed the institution’s usual frequency. The research methods included the application of the DIFER relational vocabulary test, as well as the analysis of children’s story construction and spoken language production based on visual stimuli. The findings indicate that regular exposure to folk tales had a positive effect on children’s language performance: their relational vocabulary improved, their coherent oral expression became richer, and both their imagination and expressive abilities developed. The study confirms that folk tales are not only an important means of mother tongue education but also a key factor in fostering personality development, emotional security, and creative thinking. Consequently, regular storytelling should constitute an integral part of everyday preschool education.

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