And when fictional characters face challenges and handle them well, children are quietly learning coping strategies.“ Many stories teach morals like kindness, fairness and how to treat others,” Rich adds.“ They let children safely explore big feelings without being overwhelmed.”
Stories that say,“ this is who you are”
Let’ s not forget the stories we pass down – the ones about where we come from, what we believe in, and who we are.
“ Stories passed down through generations help children understand who they are and where they come from,” says Rich.“ These stories highlight important cultural values and give children the language to express themselves with pride in their heritage.”
Tippie the elephant
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Telling your own tale
So, how can parents and teachers weave more storytelling into everyday life? Rich’ s advice is simple: make it special.
“ Use storytelling as a moment of connection. Set aside devices and snuggle up in a safe space,” she suggests.“ Before you even open the book, talk about the cover. What do they think the story might be about? This helps them become actively involved.”
As you read, use different voices, encourage questions, and pause to ask,“ What do you think will happen next?” Afterwards, reflect on the story or invite your child to imagine a different ending. Better yet – let them make up their own story!
As children’ s book author and storyteller Robin Moore once said,“ Inside each of us is a natural-born storyteller, waiting to be released.” �
www. babysandbeyond. co. za