The current Arabic studies confirm that the literature presented to the Arab child, including inherited stories and songs, contributes greatly to shaping the identity of the child and achieves its uniqueness in a world where the cultures and knowledge presented to him/her in today overlap. It also indicates that most of what is presented to the Arab child is in fact imported from different cultures and is translated to fill some shortage in the quality of the material available to the Arab child. These studies also share the role of imported cultures through television, video and electronic games in shaping the culture of the Arab child. From this point of view, this research project works on three main objectives: (1) researching Omani folk songs and tales, (2) trying to document them in a contemporary visual form that is appropriate to the early childhood stage, and (3) Utilizing modern technologies in transforming the literature of Omani songs and folk stories into visual interactive drawings that bear the characteristics and traits of the Omani personality, and contribute to the consolidation of the concepts of identity and Omani culture. To achieve the above main objectives, the researchers used the historical research design in investigating the most important stories, songs and initiatives for recording Arab and Omani children’s literature in form of particular, as well as the semi-experimental approach to transform the (audio) heritage songs and stories into children’s literature in the form of tangible and interactive (visual) stories.

Authors:
Fakhriya Al-Yahyai, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Mohammed Al-Amri, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Yasser Fawzy, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Adhari Al Shidhani, Ministry of Education, Oman

About the Presenter(s)
Fakhriya Al-Yahyai is a professor of arts and an assistant dean of postgraduate studies and scientific research at Sultan Qaboos University (Oman). Al Yahayai's research interests are: art and heritage, creative practices, and teaching the arts.

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