Gathered around a fire, a mother and child talk in quiet voices.
The flames leap as the mother tells the child stories of ancestors, faraway lands, and fantastic situations. Drowsy, the child falls asleep, her head on her mother’s lap.
This could be a scene from 10,000 years ago or 10 days ago.
Storytelling is a core part of what makes us human.
And yet, it’s not a tool parents use often — or are taught how to use — when talking to our kids.
This is unfortunate because storytelling is a powerful way we can communicate values, empathize with our children, show our support for them, and have fun.
Storytelling works whether your child is a tiny infant, just learning to recognize the sound of your voice, or a hardened teenager who spends much of their time trying to block you out.
The Benefits of Storytelling
Storytelling is an essential part of our fabric, and offers a whole range of benefits that other forms of communication lack.
Teach Values
As any parent who has tried lecturing, knows, children often ignore the message. Stories are an amazing way to pass on values, without hitting kids over the head with them.