Storytelling is the most precious thing of our childhood. Every parent wants their children to be brought up in a good and right direction. Nowadays we are surrounded by technology to and children are worried about how to guide them properly and not go in the wrong direction. Every parent wants them to get true and proper guidance in life
Stories are still popular among children but in today’s digital age, stories come through voice messages or virtual assistants like Alexa. Parents are telling stories to children with the help of such virtual assistants.
The stories narrated in this way do not mean that children do not get knowledge but the stories told by parents and grandparents have a different significance.
Why is storytelling necessary?
The activity of storytelling gives the child stability in this uncertain world. Moments of unconditional love spent with parents or grandparents are what a child always remembers.
A contract is entered into between parent and child because of the storytelling. Where the child is sure that no matter what the situation, my parents will give him this moment.
A child’s childhood memories become attached to the ritual and that thing gives the child strength. The story time starts a new journey for the children, which is very different and wonderful from the real situation.
Benefits of StoryTelling
Story time is always very beneficial not only to children but also to parents as parents also feel relaxed.
Improves memory in children.
Storytelling improves children’s memory Children remember the story told to them for a very long time. The more children hear and learn during play, the more they can remember for a longer period of time, which increases their memory Anything with knowledge Children like it very much.
After listening to the story, many questions arise in children’s minds, They want to know new things and they are eager to find the answers to those questions, due to which their memory increases.
Children’s bonding with parents increases
Nowadays most of the parents are working due to which they are not able to give time to their children. Storytelling is the best thing which is very beneficial for children as well as parents.
Storytelling will give you a chance to spend some time with the children and you will also be able to de-stress with them.
Social skills are developed.
Listening to stories develops social skills in children. Children can also become good listeners and speakers. The benefit of which we can see in their learning is that they can develop the power of listening very attentively and patiently.
Helps to fight well against life decisions or troubles in life. You can explain the values of life like telling the truth and working hard to children very easily through stories.
By listening to the good and bad characters in the story, children decide which person is ideal and good for them. Children decide in their own minds which thing should be learned from which character. This item helps in making children polite and sensible. Which is the foundation of their future creation.
The education through stories forces children to learn how to be a good person.
Children’s knowledge increases.
In the stories, different types of places, countries, states and our way of customs, religious traditions, etc. things are mentioned, with which children get knowledge and also get knowledge in fun and fun, it becomes easy to remember any difficult thing.
As children listen to the story, they add new words. Children’s creative power increases. Children’s desire to learn new things increases. After hearing any story, many questions arise in their minds. The desire to know the answer to this question increases. Which makes their imagination power very strong. So that they can go ahead and speak their heart well without any shame or hesitation. Due to this, their personality also develops.
Children stay away from digital screens
Excessive use of digital screens has a very bad effect on the health of children at a very young age these days. At a very young age, children have bad eyesight. So these stories are very beneficial. Children stay away from digital screens by listening to or reading stories.
What kind of stories to choose
As children develop moral values, storytelling is good but stories should be chosen that children can enjoy. In the story, you should read such stories so that you can easily explain the values of life like language values, ethics, culture, friendship, etc.
The story should be chosen in such a way that the children also enjoy it a lot. Many times the value in stories is very good but children do not like it. As a result, their interest in the story decreases. So we should choose a story that keeps children happy along with our culture.
Here are some considerations and types of stories to choose from:
- Age-Appropriate Content: The first and foremost consideration is the age of the child. Stories should be selected based on the child’s developmental stage, language skills, and comprehension level.
- Moral and Ethical Values: Select stories that impart positive values such as honesty, kindness, empathy, and perseverance. It can help children to understand the difference between right and wrong things.
- Cultural Diversity: Choose stories that reflect a diverse range of cultures and experiences. This helps children develop an appreciation for different perspectives and promotes inclusivity.
- Imagination and Creativity: Stories that encourage a child’s imagination and inventiveness are vital. Children may enter diverse worlds through fairy tales, fantasy, and science fiction stories, which also inspire them to think imaginatively.
- Problem-Solving: It’s crucial to provide children with books that foster their creativity and imagination. Fairy tales, fantasy, and science fiction stories allow kids to explore a variety of worlds, which encourages creative thinking.
- Emotional Intelligence: Stories that explore emotions and relationships can help children develop emotional intelligence. They can learn about empathy, self-awareness, and how to navigate complex feelings.
- Environmental Awareness: Think about telling tales that promote environmental and sustainable living. From an early age, these tales can foster a sense of obligation to the environment.
- Historical and Biographical: Introduce children to stories about historical figures and real-life heroes. These stories can inspire them and provide insights into history and the human experience.
- Folktales and Fables: These classic stories often contain moral lessons and are usually age-appropriate. Aesop’s fables, for example, are known for their timeless wisdom.
- Interactive Stories: For younger children, interactive stories with repetition and predictable patterns can be engaging and help with language development.
- Series and Sequels: If a child enjoys a particular story or author, consider exploring other books by the same author or books in a series. This can encourage a love for reading and storytelling.
- Personal Interests: Pay attention to a child’s interests and hobbies. If they love animals, choose stories about animals. If they’re fascinated by space, find stories related to space exploration.
- Family and Cultural Stories: Children’s ties to their history and ancestry can be strengthened through sharing family tales and cultural customs.
- Adapted Classics: Simplified versions of classic literature can introduce children to timeless stories like “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” or “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
- Interactive and Multimedia: Consider using multimedia options like audiobooks or interactive e-books, which can be engaging for tech-savvy children.
Children have a wide range of interests and preferences, so it’s important to pay attention to their emotions and adjust your decisions accordingly. Both the kid and the storyteller should find reading and storytelling delightful. It will be easier to cultivate a lifetime love of reading and learning if you make decisions based on the child’s interests and developmental stage.
Which platform is best for stories told by parents or told by a virtual assistant?
Children are alone when listening to stories digitally, which makes them create a different world around them. In which they do not like to be disturbed by their parents or anyone else, as a result, they gradually move away from their parents. This loneliness has a very bad effect on their personality development. When they are listening to a story alone, there is no one to talk to or someone to share knowledge with which affects their mental health.
When a child listens to a story from their parents, it becomes a special time between them so that is why storytelling is necessary. In which children interact with their parents, and various characters during the story discuss things, etc. Due to this the exchange of knowledge and bonding also increases between them. During this time, parents can get to know the good and bad things in their children. Also can try to improve it.