“Huddle Up ! It’s Story Time” – The many benefits of Storytelling

Knock! Knock! Who’s there? Words are urging you to open the doorway into your imagination. Yes, that’s the power of storytelling. It’s exactly like what Maria Montessori once aptly said, “Everything you say to your child is absorbed catalogued and remembered.” A story is like a palette of hues painting the child’s mind, which bears semblance to a blank canvas. As those gullible eyes trail you, feed them with stories of bravery, honesty and responsibility. These stories will leave an imprint in their subconscious mind and guide them in life.

Benefits of Storytelling

What does a story do to a child’s mind? It probes into the periphery of their imagination and makes them look at the world with wonderment. The words wrap around their thoughts providing them with imagery of their own to envision a different world. It may also interest you to know that stories aid in memory sharpening. Once you’ve piqued the little one’s interest, all the information is retained through the course of the story as they connect the plot. Sitting cross-legged and listening to stories they are internally conditioned to overcome academic challenges and improve their memory.

Do you want your child to grow up and be well spoken? Flip open the book, do away with the gadgets and read to your child. Scientists state that reading fictional stories to children results in making them empathetic because it enables them to understand the ‘theory’ of the mind. Stories trace the journey from cause to effect, offer logical reasons for actions and distinguish right from wrong. Those 15 minutes spent narrating a story are in a way life lessons. Are you planning to work long hours again? Think again, your offspring might dose off without a bed-time story.

What goes on in a child’s mind? It is difficult to comprehend their thoughts and more often than not they are unable to express their feelings. At this tender age, stories are a medium to reach out to them with a calming effect. Storytelling comes with innumerable benefits most importantly, it helps you forge an emotional connect with your child. It could result in your toddler growing up to be an avid reader and will leave you with memories to cherish.

The Process of Storytelling

Storytelling comes with a process of its own. How do we engage our audience? To begin with, a thorough research will help you narrate the story in the best possible way. Jog down the memory lane, refer past instances and weave a story around it. While narrating a story, do it with your eyes and maintain eye contact with your audience. Set the pace of the story to keep your audience hooked on. Voice modulation, appropriate exaggeration and dramatic pauses go a long way in telling the story effectively. There are several books to train you in the art of storytelling, you could include “Storytelling with Children” and “Storytelling and the art of imagination” in your reading list to boot up.

Make a Well-informed decision

The environment your child thrives in is also decisive to the values he/she imbibes and the overall well-being. Does the curriculum enhance them to become good listeners? Does it give them room for expression? Does it cater to teaching them a thing or two about book handling? Does it work towards improving their vocabulary and making them voracious readers? The list may seem endless, but the education system takes into consideration these factors while chalking out the syllabus.

At Little Red Hen Preschool & Early Years, our well-equipped library, the literacy week every October and regular Storytelling sessions for all our preschool learning groups through the week helps a great deal in nurturing the love for reading amidst children.