Tales Passed Down: Investigating the Integration of Philippine Folklore in Kindergarten Classrooms

This qualitative case study examines the integration of Philippine folklore in the kindergarten classrooms of selected schools in San Fernando City, La Union Philippines. Understanding the significance of traditional stories in fostering cultural identity as well as the impacts on the development of the children such as language skills, creativity, and cultural awareness. The study explores how different types of Philippine Folklore are integrated in kindergarten classrooms as well as what are the delivery modes nowadays as we live in 21st century. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with ten experienced kindergarten teachers, alongside classroom observations and document analysis. The findings highlight the value of integrating folklore through storytelling, songs, and interactive play. These methods not only promote imagination and critical thinking but also strengthen students’ appreciation for Filipino heritage and community values. The research suggests that incorporating folklore into daily routines enhances both cognitive development and emotional well-being by instilling a sense of belonging and pride in Filipino culture.

cultural heritage, early childhood education

1. Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., Ameen, B. M. M., & Khidhir, R. M. (2025). Using Thematic Analysis in Qualitative Research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6(6) 100198. ScienceDirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ancheta, O. J., & Ochoco, C. A. (2024). Enhancing language instruction: A study on MTB- MLE implementation in urban education. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382561952 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ancheta, O. J., & Fabrigas, S. G. (2025, July 24). Evaluative analysis of children in the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program. Educational Process: International Journal. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.18.413 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ben-Amos, D. (1993, August). Theorizing Folklore: Toward New Perspectives on the Politics of Culture. JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i266297 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bell, E., & Bryman, A. (2006, March 15). The Ethics of Management Research: Exploratory Content Analysis. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2006.00487.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Bliss, L. A. (2016). Phenomenological Research: Inquiry to Understand the Meanings of People’s Experiences. International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology. https://sageprofessor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/phenomenological-research-inquiry-to-understand-the-meanings-of-peoples-experiences.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. DepEd. (2016, October 24). Mother tongue-based learning makes lessons more interactive and easier for students. DepEd: https://www.deped.gov.ph/2016/10/24/mother-tongue-based-learning-makes-lessonsmore-interactive-and-easier-for-students [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. DepEd. (2017, August 11). NATIONAL ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHILIPPINE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS. Department of Education. https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/DO_s2017_042-1.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. DepEd. (2019, August 22). Policy Guidelines on the K to 12 BASIC EDUCATIONPROGRAM. Department of Educ https://www.deped.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2019/08/DO_s2019_021.pdfEslit, E. S. (2011, September). Filipino Folklore Revisited. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320553054_Filipino_Folklore_Revisited [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Flores, I., Abat, M. C., Duran, K. M., Galboy, C., & Ong, D. J. (2025). Investigating the effects of discovery learning on the environmental skills of nursery school students using EcoExplorer. Diversitas Journal, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v10i2.3352 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Galigao, M. (2023). The use of local folktales and myths in teaching. Department of Education – Bataan. https://depedbataan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/THE-USE-OF-LOCAL-FOLKTALES-AND-MYTHS-IN-TEACHING-MOTHER-TONGUE-LANGUAGE.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Helin, J. (2021). Indicators -The Need and Challenges of Tracking Implementation of SDG Target 4.7. Bridge 47. https://slogaplatform.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/08/4_indicators.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hoose, N. A.-V. (2020). Social Constructivism: Vygotsky’s Theory. Educational Psychology. https://edpsych.pressbooks.sunycreate.cloud/chapter/social-constructivism-vygotskys-theory/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kholmurodova, O. (2024). IMPORTANCE OF FOLKLORE IN EDUCATION. CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL of PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 5(1), 46–49.https://doi.org/10.37547/philological-crjps-05-01-09 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kusuma, D., & Nurzaman, B. (2024). The role of folk tales in the formation of children's character: A literature and psychology analysis. Jurnal Jembatan Efektivitas Ilmu Dan Akhlak Ahlussunah Wal Jama’ah, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.52188/jeas.v5i2.847 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Laksana, D. N., Qondias, D., Veliz, L., Chiu, C., Utami, K. H., & Listyana, I. G. (2025). Adapting mother tongue-based instructional models to address gender. International Journal of Language Education, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v1i2.75115 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Marenus, M. (2025). Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. SimplyPsychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/multiple-intelligences.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. McLeod. (2009, August). Piaget's theory and stages of cognitive development ResearchGate:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382947890_Piaget's_Theory_and_Stages_of_Cognitive_Development [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. McLeod, S. (2025). Jerome Bruner Theory of Cognitive Development. Child Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/bruner.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Miravalles, A. (2025). Cultural relevance of local legends from old man’s folklore to ELT corollaries. Journal of Education Culture and Society. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.741.755 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Muharrir, B. (2025, June 29). Games, music, and storytelling in teaching young learners. Philippine Teachers Journal. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. https://wosjournals.com/index.php/ptj/article/view/2773 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Mzimela, J. (2016, December). Exploring the Role of Teaching Using Folklore iDeveloping Grade R Learners’ Mother Tongue. ReserachGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321221319_Exploring_the_Role_of_Teaching_Using_Folklore_in_Developing_Grade_R_Learners'_Mother_Tongue [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Ong, D. J. (2024, July 20). Intermediate student development tasks: Subsidies for instructional design at MAPEH. Diversitas Journal, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v9i3.3019 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Ong, D. J. (2025, November 3). Social presence in flexible online courses: Links to learning and student satisfaction. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13823-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Ong, D. J., & Ancheta, O. J. (2024, January 10). Development of interactive virtual science learning materials according to the ADDIE model. Diversitas Journal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v9i1.2825 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Orine, P. A., Casipit, J., Fontanilla, A. M., Munar, K. D., Soriano, J. M., & Ong, D. J. (2024, July 17). City of transformation: A pocket material of strategic intervention for Science 6. Diversitas Journal, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v9i3.3066 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Project Narrative. (2025). What is narrative theory? The Ohio State University. https://projectnarrative.osu.edu/about/what-is-narrative-theory [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Santos, J. (2022). Towards inclusion for indigenous peoples in the Philippines. UNOPS https://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/stories/towards-inclusion-for-. indigenous-peoples-in-the-philippines [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Soplantila, E. (2024, May 21). The Role of Local Folklores in Students’ Reading Comprehension. MATAI:file:///C:/Users/admin/Downloads/13717Article%20Text-74931-1-10-20240610.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Suleymanova, E. (2025). The pedagogical system for the effective organization of folklore. Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi, 12 (Special Issue). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. https://doi.org/10.46868/atdd.2025.1026 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Sugue, A. S., & Reyes, M. (2022). Rediscovering the value of Philippine mythology for Philippine schools: Literature review. International Journal of Language and Literary Studies, 4(3), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.36892/ijlls.v4i3.1057 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Tineh, S., Rorintulus, O. A., & Wuntu, C. N. (2023, January 10). Integrated Skill in English Language Learning: Examining Folklore. EDUMASPUL. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ddb0/2ccd9ac6656551f94085377f018af0dd8db4.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Unesco. (2024, March 15). What you need to know about culture and arts education. Unesco. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/what-you-need-know-about-culture-and-arts-education [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Will, M., & Najarro, I. (2022, April 18). What is culturally responsive teaching? EducationWeek.https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/culturally-responsive-teaching-culturally-responsive-pedagogy/2022/04 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Wilson, C. (2014). Chapter 2 - Semi-Structured Interviews. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780124103931000028 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar