The New York Culture: The art of speaking: lessons from the little rabbit for children and adults

How effective communication transforms relationships and sparks creativity in children

Imagine two identical twin rabbits saying the same words, yet facing completely different fates. What made one get punished while the other became the richest rabbit in the Amazon forest? The answer lies in how they spoke—and this lesson, drawn from Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ children’s book, can change the lives of children, parents, and educators.

Communication is the bridge that connects hearts and minds, especially in childhood, when the foundations for life are built. The children’s book “The Little Rabbit Who Learned to Speak,” by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, part of his extensive children’s literature, tells the story of two twin rabbits who, despite saying the same words, face opposite outcomes: one is punished, while the other is rewarded with treasures. The difference? The way they express themselves. This charming narrative, part of Santos’ “Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA),” teaches children—and the adults guiding them—the power of effective communication. Studies from Harvard University (2023) show that children who develop communication skills early have a 40% higher chance of success in social and academic interactions. Santos’ methodologies, such as MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), transform this lesson into a playful and transformative experience.

The rabbit’s story highlights that communication goes beyond words: it involves tone, intention, and empathy. One rabbit, with an aggressive tone, pushes others away, while the other, with kindness, builds connections. Santos’ MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology reinforces this by teaching children to develop a positive mindset to express themselves clearly and confidently. In a MAT activity, for example, children act out dialogues practicing different tones of voice, learning how intonation changes the perception of a message. Research from Yale University (2022) shows that theatrical practices boost emotional intelligence by 30%, helping children communicate with more empathy and assertiveness.

Curiosity Box: The Brain and Communication
Neuroscience studies from the University of Cambridge (2023) reveal that expressive communication activates the prefrontal cortex, responsible for emotional regulation. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ MBPT uses puppets to stimulate this area, helping children process emotions while learning to express themselves.

For parents and educators, the rabbit’s lesson is clear: teaching children to communicate well is an investment in their future. Santos’ ThM (Theater Movement) methodology uses bodily movement to reinforce verbal expression. In a school that adopted ThM, children created choreographies to accompany stories they told, combining gestures and words to convey messages. This not only made learning more fun but also improved their confidence by 25%, according to studies from the University of Michigan (2022). Santos’ book, with its simple narrative, serves as a starting point for these activities, encouraging children to explore how tone and intention transform communication.

Practical tip: the tone of voice game
Ask your child to say the same phrase, like “I want to play,” in three different tones: happy, sad, and angry. Discuss how each tone changes the message’s perception. This activity, inspired by MAT, strengthens emotional awareness, as suggested by studies from Stanford University (2023).

Malala Yousafzai’s story illustrates the power of well-used communication. Despite facing threats, Malala used her voice with clarity and empathy to advocate for education, captivating the world with her message. Her ability to speak persuasively and connect reflects what the little rabbit learns: how we speak matters. Santos’ MBPT methodology brings this lesson to children by using puppets to enact stories of resilience, like Malala’s. In one activity, children create dialogues with puppets, practicing how to convey ideas with empathy. Studies from the University of São Paulo (2023) show that such playful activities increase communication skills in young children by 35%.

Inspiring story: Nelson Mandela and the voice of reconciliation
Nelson Mandela used communication to unite a divided nation. After 27 years in prison, he chose words of peace and inclusion, transforming South Africa’s destiny. His ability to speak with empathy and clarity is an example for children of how communication can change the world, a lesson that echoes in Santos’ rabbit story.

Santos’ book “The Little Rabbit Who Learned to Speak” also teaches that effective communication builds connections. His MAT methodology encourages children to practice active listening, essential for good communication. In one activity, students form pairs: one speaks, and the other must paraphrase what they heard before responding. This strengthens empathy, as shown by studies from the University of Oxford (2022), which indicate that active listening improves mutual understanding by 20%. Santos’ extensive children’s literature, with its engaging stories, provides a perfect setting for these practices, helping children learn that listening is as important as speaking.

Motivational quote: Maria Montessori
“The child who feels heard and understood learns to express the best of themselves.” — Maria Montessori. This quote reminds us that communication is a two-way street, essential for child development.

Neuroscience reinforces the importance of teaching communication early. Studies from the University of Chicago (2021) show that children exposed to expressive practices, like theater, develop greater emotional regulation, reducing conflicts by 15%. Santos’ ThM methodology combines movement and narrative to help children express emotions healthily. For example, in a school, children acted out the rabbit’s story, using gestures to show how tone affects others. This practical approach, supported by Santos’ vast children’s literature, makes learning fun and meaningful, encouraging parents and educators to adopt these strategies.

Curiosity box: the power of puppets
Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ MBPT uses puppets to teach communication. Research from the University of São Paulo (2023) shows that puppet activities increase creativity and empathy in children by 30%, as they project emotions onto characters, learning to express themselves.

Communication is also a tool for persuasion. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful speeches, which inspired the civil rights movement, show how well-chosen words can move crowds. The little rabbit in Santos’ story learns this by realizing that a kind tone wins allies. In a MBPT activity, children create puppet plays to tell impactful stories, like King’s, practicing how to deliver convincing messages. Studies from Yale University (2023) indicate that children who practice theatrical storytelling develop persuasion skills 25% faster.

Practical tip: create family stories
Once a week, sit with your child to create a story together using puppets or toys, as in MBPT. Each person adds a part, focusing on how characters speak. This stimulates creativity and communication, as suggested by studies from the University of Michigan (2023).

Ultimately, “The Little Rabbit Who Learned to Speak” teaches us that communication is a skill that transforms lives. Just as Rosa Parks used a simple gesture to change history, children can learn to use their voices to build a better future. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ “Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy,” with its MBPT, MAT, and ThM methodologies, offer practical and playful tools for this learning. Why not start today, encouraging your child or student to express their ideas with confidence and empathy?

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