When children enter the social world, or begin participating in social activities, they listen to stories around them to receive hints about appropriate actions within their culture.
Research shows that children who listen to and subsequently, tell stories, (to each other; or to their parents), receive 'shared experiences' and 'shared knowledge'. This helps them to reach a degree of conversational ability which surpasses those children who's story sharing is discouraged or inhibited.
Story Telling:
Builds listening and concentration skills
Encourages creativity
Motivates reading and writing
Instills excitement and interest in learning
Exposes children to spoken language and, as such, increases their success as readers and writers
Can be used as a channel to help children articulate what they are thinking, but are unable to verbalise
May be used to teach children about values e.g. sharing, respect, responsibility
Patricia Mezu is the Director of Professional Minds FZ LLC, a Dubai based consultancy, that specialises in early childhood education.
www.prminds.org