Say, YES! to Story Telling.

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