The Educational Benefits of the Art of Storytelling

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in storytelling evident by the growing number of storytelling festivals, the inclusion of storytellers in many library literacy programs and the use of storytelling in classroom settings. All educators agree reading aloud to a child is an important component of the educational process. What makes storytelling different is the audience's experience of the story and how the tale forms within the minds of the listeners. When used in conjunction, storytelling and reading aloud creates a comprehensive system for nurturing pre-reading skills giving children a positive association to books while enjoying the dramatic entertainment of skilled performers.

Traditional storytelling has been used by countless generations to share traditions, history and entertainment to pass on stories both real and fictitious. This age-old art form is a crucial aspect of humanity. Because humans have a natural ability to use verbal communication to teach, explain and entertain, storytelling is naturally prevalent in everyday life. The interactive nature of storytelling brings anecdotes to life and serves to hold the audience's attention while often educating them on multiple levels.

According to New York librarian and famed storyteller Augusta Baker (1911-1998) in her book Storytelling: Art and Technique (1977, New York: Bowker), storytelling is an excellent means of introducing children to the wonderful world of books while nurturing positive attitudes for reading. The exposure to oral language patterns helps develop children's listening skills while ultimately aiding children in achieving success in comprehending the written word.

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) agrees. The NCTE Position Statement from the Committee on Storytelling states, "Listeners encounter both familiar and new language patterns through story. They learn new words or new contexts for already familiar words. Those who regularly hear stories subconsciously acquire familiarity with narrative patterns and begin to predict upcoming events. Both beginning and experienced readers call on their understanding of patterns as they tackle unfamiliar texts.

"Children at any level of schooling who do not feel as competent as their peers in reading or writing are often masterful at storytelling. The comfort zone of the oral tale can be the path by which they reach the written one," says the NCTE.

Dorayne Breedlove, a national storyteller and owner of A Slice of Rainbow Productions, has been sharing stories with children for over 10 years. According to Breedlove, "Storytelling shares stories of virtues and character education that remain timeless. It is also becoming an extension of curriculums being taught in many schools. There is a lot of emphasis on emergent literacy skills. These skills include memory development, observation skills, vocabulary development, sequencing, problem solving, engagement in language play, and making predictions, to name a few."

Breedlove continues, "Through storytelling, children can experience these emergent literacy skills which help them as they grow and begin reading. Other benefits include teaching virtues and values through a non-didactic process. These values are internalized as stories are heard and felt. Also, having stories that fit curriculum and enhance the learning process is beneficial as children learn about different cultures, sciences, and history."

Professional storyteller Charlene Winger Bearskin explains, "Storytelling leaves the art work and illustrations up to the listener's imagination. We replace the pictures and the exact written word by using the spoken word to describe the story and what we see in our minds as we tell it. This gives the listeners space and time to make relevant connections with their personal experiences and those of the characters, places, and conflicts in the story. We are often animated in our telling and share this animation with a willing audience of all ages."

Vicki Johnston M.Ed., founder and director of the Robert Muller Center for Living Ethics in Fairview, Tx., has utilized storytelling throughout her 25 years of teaching. Her self-created Teaching Stories Curriculum, a multi-volume series of read aloud stories for children ages 3 - 13, incorporates history, science, math, and language arts into her classroom work.

Johnston's decision to utilize storytelling in the classroom was the result of her ongoing search for a means to better reach children's hearts and make their classroom experiences more enjoyable while educating beyond memorizing facts. Storytelling provides not only entertainment and presentations that hold students' attention; she has also found it educates her students on multiple levels further improving their retention of the classroom lessons.

According to Johnston, "Storytelling is an excellent medium for teaching children because children are open and receptive to information delivered in an interesting story format. A good story clears away the wiggly bodied distracted student scenario. A story designed to inform can simultaneously stimulate the imagination and ethics. It is an ideal vehicle for comprehension that is heart-filled, intellectual, inspiring, and informative."

Johnston continues, "The development of the sense of fantasy and a sense of purpose are closely linked. A good story stimulates the children's enthusiasm for academic and creative projects that further extend knowledge and wisdom gleaned from the story."

While storytelling is entertaining, its educational benefits are being recognized by educators throughout the country. This educational modality is quickly becoming part of the educational standard in U.S. schools adding a new dimension to education and creating an ever-lasting affect on children's love of reading.