Storytelling helps children process experiences and emotions

Stories offer children an encounter with human experiences, thoughts, emotions and ambitions and give them an opportunity to process emotional and social situations. “The cute mouse has played all day long and now she’s tired and wants a hug.” This simple story can help little ones better understand their own experiences. Even at a very young age, telling stories creates a basis for an open conversation between adults and children, which will continue evolving as the child grows. Even though your toddler may not be able to say more than a few words, she will still benefit greatly from storytelling, which introduces her to new concepts and the idea of asking questions. The benefits of storytelling are also there during playtime. Telling a story while using clear expressions that emphasize surprise or suspense draws the children into the story and helps them link between the spoken words and actual characters and objects in the world. Using a doll or object that relates to the things mentioned in the story gives little ones a better sense of what you’re talking about and encourages their symbolic thinking. “Look, bunny is giving you a goodnight kiss and going to sleep!”

Telling stories supports cognitive and emotional development

Many studies have shown that telling stories has great benefits. Telling stories supports cognitive development, elevates children’s linguistic abilities and makes them more successful at school. Children who enjoy more reading have less exposure to screens, develop better emotional skills and have an increased ability to be attentive and empathetic. These findings have lead the American Academy of Pediatrics to publish a recommendation that parents should start telling stories to their children as early as possible – even when they are just six months old! But above all, storytelling offers parents a wonderful opportunity to bond with their children, giving them an opportunity to enjoy some joint attention and shared interests with their little ones.

Use the following tips to help make story time especially fun and rewarding:

• Choose the right timing: Choose a time when you and your child are relaxed and not too tired. This will encourage your little one’s ability to listen for longer.
• Choose the right story or book: Storytelling is meaningful when it fits a child’s age and developmental stage. For 1-2 year olds, choose a baby book or a story with simple sentences and lots of illustrations. It should involve familiar elements from daily life, like going to sleep, saying good bye, etc.
• Be an active storyteller: Bring the story to life by dynamic reading, asking questions and relating to your child’s own experiences. Research has shown that active storytelling that really engages a child improves success at school later on.
• Be expressive: Keep the child captivated by really getting into the role of storyteller. Be theatrical, energetic and expressive. Make it suspenseful and surprising, and use animal figures, puppets or everyday objects to make the story more vivid.
• Listen: Pay attention to your child’s reactions and questions and respond to her curiosity. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about your child. What interests her? What worries her? Your attentiveness will not only help you to get to know her better but also help her better understand herself.
• Cuddle: Story time is a great opportunity for some cuddling, hugging and laughing together. This warmth and closeness is great for bonding, which encourages emotional growth and confidence.

Storytelling with the Wonder Buddies

Tiny Love’s Wonder Buddies offer parents an excellent opportunity to enjoy some active, lively storytelling time, and help make abstract ideas that appear in stories more concrete. As little ones become attached to these interactive dolls and play with them, practicing various daily activities, they learn about skills, behaviors and emotions.

Enjoy exploring the magic of storytelling with your child! Click here to learn more about how the Wonder Buddies can make storytelling sooo much fun.