“Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world.”
– Robert McKee, Professor at University of Michigan
A child’s favourite hour begins with “Once upon a time…” But if you’re a parent who finds it hard to take a break from your busy schedule and indulge in storytelling with your kids, then this article is here for you.
Stories kids hear during their bedtime sculpt an imaginary world in their memory. These stories make them travel places, meet new people and live a different life just by using their creative side of the mind. For such illusory experiences, parents and teachers have to become great storytellers.
But is it worth the effort? Is it doing any good to your kid? Should you take storytelling seriously?
To answer your questions- a big YES! Here’s the explanation of why storytelling is important for your kid:
- Greatly Improves Imagination and Creativity
Before the media outreach in the form of animated movies, illustrated children’s books, or TV Series; every child had a different illustration of their favourite character. Some would imagine Snow-white as a tall girl with golden hair and some would imagine her to have a big nose and curly tresses covering her eyes. It’s fascinating how stories empower your child’s creative side. It enables them to see the world through their own lens of imagination. - Provides Joy of Expression
When you narrate a story, use the pillars of storytelling like enacting the character, making sounds of animals, trees or winds. These animated acts will teach your children the importance of expression. Also, it makes the fantasy tale intriguing for young children. - Improves Interpersonal Connection
Imaginary characters are a child’s best friends. Parents can twist the plots and teach the importance of communication, creating bonds and accepting people as they are. Being friends with these characters will also boost their confidence to make real friends in school. This is also the technique used by most preschool teachers in Excelsior American School for bolstering interpersonal connection between classmates. - Boosts Memory & Curiosity in Kids
Ask your child some questions related to the story which they’ve heard before. If they have a favourite story, let them recite it in front of other family members. This will expand their memory horizons and curb any sign of anxiety due to public speaking.
Also, take their curious queries during or after the narration. It helps them to understand the plot better. This way, it imbibes into the memory for a longer time. - Helps Them to Accept Cultural Differences
Through folktales, enable children to explore different cultures, their rituals and instil the feeling of harmony and respect for them. We need to imbue the acceptance of cultural differences in the future generation. This will eventually evolve better consonance in the world. And diverse voices through interesting storylines are the best way to make children aware of these different cultures.
Here’s a quick list of some stories you can recite to your kids, along with their respective learnings:
- The Lion and The Jackal: Originated in South Africa, this story shows how Cleverness can beat Strength when the clever Jackal tricks the fierce Lion.
- Hue Boy: Authored by Caroline Binch and Rita Phillips Mitchell, this book tells about a boy’s struggles who is the smallest person in his village. How he fights the body image issues and turns out to be strong despite his size.
- Ramadan Moon: Penned by Na’ima B. Robert, this simple story talks about the importance of faith in children.
- A Hen in the Wardrobe: Written by Oxford University’s English Literature lecturer, Wendy Meddour, this book is set up in Algeria and Britain which portrays the Berber Community beautifully. It’s a light-hearted and comical book for kids.
- Too Much Trouble: A book for slightly older kids; it depicts the struggles of two boys who try hard to make a living on the London Streets without much help. This emotional account inspires kids to not take life for granted and work to earn a good life.
The Message:
It’s fairly essential for a child’s development to listen to numerous stories that teach them moral values. Being the best boarding school in Gurgaon, we do our best to inculcate values through children’s favourite activities. Storytelling is the most loved of all activities by our students.
Keep watching this space for more creative approaches for a child’s best upbringing.
