“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” - Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein was bang-on right! Even as adults, we love stories. Why, are we not addicted to Netflix? Amazon Prime as compared to the kids of this digital era? Yes, the truth is that we never grow out of our love for stories.

American psychologist and educational thinker, Jerome Seymour Bruner, recognized the role of cognitive learning in education. Unquestionably, storytelling is the simplest means to strengthen cognitive development in children!

Storytelling: An Ancient Art

Storytelling is an ancient art encompassing all cultures. It has existed for as long as civilization itself. Storytelling can be seen in architecture, in bedtime stories, in murals, paintings, and so on. Every art form tells a story and hence storytelling is an art in itself.

Storytelling: Then And Now

We were fortunate enough to grow up listening to stories. The Panchatantra and other gripping tales such as the Jataka Tales and stories from Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata were favorites of everyone and still are.

Today, kids grow up watching TV and most of their storytelling is from Cartoon Network and the likes. It lacks a personal touch. It is devoid of the warmth of the parent as the storyteller. It is deprived of the feelings and emotions, the animated ways of the parents when indulging in storytelling. Storytelling conveys to the children at an early age, the culture, and values we believe in.

Benefits of Storytelling;

Storytelling has a plethora of benefits. While it may not be feasible to list them all, we can summate some of them:

●       It plays a vital role in the overall early childhood development. This benefit cannot be emphasized enough upon, considering the multitude of benefits.

●       It opens up their world of imagination and helps them believe that “anything is possible,” thus building a strong sense of confidence. Storytelling ignites hope in young minds, a hope that learns to survive all odds.

●       Storytelling even helps to make concepts in Mathematics easier for kids in an engaging way. It not only captivates their attention but also helps them have longer attention spans when taught by way of storytelling.

●       It instills in them virtues and makes them aware of their culture and roots.

      ●       It has a positive effect on cognitive development, reading skills, listening skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.

In a classroom setting, research shows storytelling serves multiple functions. The most significant among the functions include capturing student interest, making learning more memorable, overcoming resistance from reluctant learners and even building a bond/rapport between the teacher and student. It enhances problem solving and creativity when initiated from the preschool and kindergarten age.

It is one of the most efficient and powerful means to influence, inspire, and teach young minds and should be an indispensable part of early childhood care and education.

Befittingly told by Jacqueline Kennedy, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”!