Until February 1st, there’s an possibility to visit an exhibition that feels tailor-made for the start of the year, best viewed not standing, but crawling. At the beginning of the year, people tend to make many resolutions, and this exposition, carefully examined – crawling or at least bending over – provides plenty of food for thought about your relationship with the real, non-virtual world and your attitude towards it.Once you’ve committed to changing something in this regard, you can stand tall and implement your resolutions throughout the year – including crawling when necessary to better feel – touch, smell, taste – the non-virtual world. In fact, it’s not about one, but many non-virtual parallel worlds. Those that children used to get to know better in the past, before the internet existed, than they do today, when virtual technologies take their attention into their power. But virtual flowers don’t smell, virtual bees don’t sting, and you can’t suck the nectar and taste the flavor from the apple blossom seen on the screen. A person who lives only in virtual reality only needs sight and hearing; other senses can atrophy.
Potential to Understand Yourself
The exhibition Beyond Crawling is on display at the Pauls Stradiņš Museum of the History of Medicine. From a medical point of view, it is indeed very vital to interest children in exploring nature not only on the screen (where, undoubtedly, you can find a lot of information), as digital technologies promote a more sedentary lifestyle. Inventiveness is also used less, indulging in the cartoon-created idea that we and various beasts are endowed with similar
Latvian Children’s Literature and Movement
Latvian children’s literature increasingly incorporates elements that respond to the natural, often non-linear, movement dynamics of children.
This approach moves away from traditional, linear storytelling structures to better reflect how children physically and mentally engage with their habitat. The goal is to create narratives that resonate with a child’s inherent need for exploration and varied movement patterns. This is a developing trend within Latvian publishing,aiming to foster a more holistic and engaging reading experience.
Such as, author Inga Ābele‘s work frequently features characters who navigate complex emotional and physical landscapes, mirroring the unpredictable nature of childhood play. While specific publication dates detailing this shift are still being compiled, a 2023 report by the Latvian Publishers Association noted a 15% increase in submissions featuring experimental narrative structures designed to accommodate diverse reader interpretations and physical responses. Latvian Publishers Association
Impact on storytelling Techniques
The focus on movement influences storytelling techniques by prioritizing imagery and sensory details over lengthy descriptions.
Authors are employing more visual language and interactive elements to encourage children to actively participate in the narrative. This includes using repetition, rhythm, and open-ended prompts that invite children to imagine themselves within the story’s world and physically act out scenes. The intention is to move beyond passive reading and cultivate a more embodied literary experience.
A workshop held at the Latvian National Library in November 2024, led by children’s literature expert Dr. Līga Poča, highlighted the use of “kinetic storytelling” – a technique where narrative progression is directly linked to physical actions or movements. Dr. Poča stated, “We are seeing a deliberate effort to create books that aren’t just *read*, but *experienced*.” latvian National Library
Connection to Educational Ideology
This trend in Latvian children’s literature aligns with contemporary educational philosophies emphasizing kinesthetic learning and child-centered pedagogy.
The integration of movement into storytelling supports the idea that children learn best through active exploration and hands-on experiences.By mirroring natural movement patterns, these books aim to enhance comprehension, creativity, and emotional advancement. This approach also acknowledges the importance of play in fostering cognitive and social skills.
The Latvian Ministry of Education and Science’s 2025 curriculum guidelines for early childhood education specifically recommend incorporating “multisensory learning experiences” that include movement and physical activity. This policy shift provides further support for the growing trend in children’s literature. Latvian Ministry of Education and Science
