The National Storytelling Network says that “storytelling is essential to education: neuroscience is demonstrating that the human brain organizes, retains, and accesses information most effectively in narrative form.”  Click here to read what else they say.

I’ve been spending the last few weeks thinking and writing about storytelling because I value the importance of storytelling for my children and community.  I’m wrapping up my series on storytelling by brainstorming several reasons why storytelling is so valuable for children and adults.  Below is my list in no particular order.  I hope you might contribute to my list by adding your thoughts in the comments section.

Storytelling is beneficial because:

• Stories both entertain and impart wisdom.
• I can teach my children in an unique way that they will want to listen and remember.
• Storytelling ignites the imagination.
• It fosters listening and comprehension skills.
• It teaches speaking skills.  Shortly after beginning to make up stories for my five-year-old, he wanted to make up stories to tell me!
• Storytelling is part of our language arts, which is a vital part of any person’s education!
• Stories help people understand their place in the world.  For children, stories can help them understand who they are and the world they live in.
• It’s relaxing.  A stress-reducer!
• Storytelling provides valuable one-on-one time with the teller and listener(s).  Telling stories to children is an expression of love.
• Similarly, storytelling connects people and communities.  It’s a positive form of communication that fosters compassion and understanding.
• Stories preserve cultures, beliefs and values and shares those cultures, beliefs and values with the rest of the world.

Note: To find more resources on how to start telling stories to your children, see my Storytelling Page.

I’d like to dedicate my column and these blog posts on storytelling to the friend who inspired me to tell stories: J.J. Reneaux.  I think of her so often.

What do you think?  Please add your thoughts about storytelling in the comments section.