Saturday, 1 March 2014

Once upon a time....

Once upon a time....
Ya its all about story telling...
Do you feel that stories are just for engaging the children? Do you read stories just to make the task of bringing your child to bed easier? Or you reluctantly read stories because your child pesters you to do so? Whatever the reasons may be, it is really a good thing that young parents reluctantly or willingly reads stories / generously gets story books for their kids to read.
There is a lot of emphasis given on storytelling by schools and educators than before. This blog is just to reveal the importance of storytelling in child development.
Here are some of the reasons why we should tell stories to young children?
Sharpens the skills of listening, imagination and visualization:
The moment we say There was a huge forest, with tall trees and dark green bushes... the child recollects the forests they have visited or the pictures they have seen in books or photographs they have come across. As they grow up, this skill of imagination helps them in understanding concepts.
You may wonder, but this is true! All of us have learnt about space. But even now what comes to your mind when you just read this... Nine planets.  Is it just the word planets? No. Definitely not! In a fraction of second we visualize the nine planets. The depth of visualization may differ from person to person but this is how learning takes place. It basically happens by visualizing and inferring from our previous knowledge.
Increases vocabulary:
What could be the maximum vocabulary that you use with a nursery child? Keep quite! Eat fast! Drink milk! Dont disturb! No sweets! No shouting! No running! No jumping! and the list grows. Exposing the children to stories helps you to introduce to new situations which helps them to understand unfamiliar words and increases their vocabulary.
Connects emotionally:
Tucked in the blanket, holding tight  - it’s a great time for every parent to get emotionally connected with the child. Ranging from your childhood stories to fairy tales and mythological stories you can narrate whatever comes to your mind in your own style. This creates an emotional bond between you and your child.
Enhances speaking, reading and writing skills:
Storytelling helps children practice and refine their speaking skills when they share their story with others. It helps children enhance their writing skills when they write their own stories. It also helps children develop reading skills and sparks an interest in reading. It encourages children to look at various literacy materials to find a story they want to share or to find stories that have been told to them.
Out of all these various reasons, Storytelling plays a vital role in character building.
We feel very great for our culture, country. Where did it come from? Think of how stories about our nation and culture shaped our attitudes about the same.
Stories provides a simple platform for discussing good and bad behaviour to our children, explain the difference between right and wrong. We can supply them with a list of do’s and don'ts.
Think how many morals are included not only in modern stories but fairytales, concepts such as, always listening to your parents, being nice to animals and each other, not to talk to strangers etc., Stories are an excellent way of teaching children how to act in the world around them. 
Just talk about your childhood stories, it gives your child an understanding of your family setup, relationships, love, care, respect and many more.
Introduce your child to Mythological stories to make them God fearing, spiritual. Tales of Akbar Birbal, Tenalirama opens the door for critical thinking. Stories like Fairy tales, Arabian Nights teaches values as well as enhance imagination.
Want to remind a child about good and bad behaviour? Sketch your own characters, one with all the good behaviour and the other with bad behaviour. Have as many supporting characters. Bring in real time situations, build your own story become a Rowling!
Couldn’t stop yourself? Geared up for narrating stories to your kids!
Great!!Happy Parenting!!!