Storytelling as a form of literacy: A guide for caregivers of young children

Artika Tyner

Stories have always been a powerful way to preserve history, teach morals, and convey social norms. They allow us to connect with others, creating bonds through shared experiences and emotions. Personal stories can build bridges and share valuable information. Meaningful experiences create vivid memories, and retelling these events helps individuals express how their lives have been affected. Our stories help us understand each other and ourselves better. By exploring and expressing our own stories, we gain clarity on who we are and how we relate to others.
This month’s column highlights an interview with early childhood advocate Jamie Bonczyk, Senior Program Officer for 80x3: Resilient From the Start at Greater Twin Cities United Way. Jamie discusses essential strategies for using storytelling to promote literacy and strengthen relationship building.
Q: What are the benefits of teaching children about personal narratives?
A: Incorporating personal narratives into daily life can be incredibly beneficial for young children. Some key benefits and strategies for using personal narratives at home are:
• Fostering Emotional Expression: Personal narratives help children articulate their feelings and experiences. By telling their own stories, children learn to express their emotions in a healthy and constructive way. This can be particularly helpful in managing difficult emotions and building emotional resilience.
• Promoting Language Development: Storytelling enhances vocabulary and storytelling skills. As children narrate their experiences, they practice using new words and complex sentence structures, which boosts their language development. This practice also helps them become more confident communicators.
• Nurturing Social Skills: Sharing personal stories encourages empathy and understanding among peers. When children listen to each other’s stories, they learn to appreciate different perspectives and develop a sense of empathy. This can strengthen their social bonds and improve their ability to work collaboratively.
Q: What strategies can be used to incorporate personal narratives with children?
You can start with using prompts to inspire children to tell their own stories. Simple questions like “What was the best part of your day?” or “Can you tell me about a time when you felt really happy?” can spark a child’s imagination and encourage them to share their experiences. These prompts can be tailored to suit the child’s age and interests.
Visual aids are also helpful. Incorporate drawings or photos to help children narrate their experiences. Visual aids can make storytelling more engaging and accessible for young children. Encourage them to draw pictures of their stories or use family photos as prompts for their narratives. This can help them organize their thoughts and make their stories more vivid.
You can model storytelling. Share your own stories with your children. By modeling storytelling, you demonstrate how to structure a narrative and express emotions. This can inspire children to share their own stories and help them understand the value of personal narratives.

A call to action
A “first educator” refers to the fundamental primary role that parents and caregivers play in a person’s early development and education. They instill essential life skills, morals, and behaviors.
By incorporating personal narratives into daily life, first educators can help children develop important literacy skills, emotional intelligence, and social understanding. Storytelling is not just a way to preserve history or teach morals. It is a powerful tool for connecting with others and fostering personal growth. Encourage your children to share their stories and watch as they grow into confident, empathetic, and articulate individuals.
Through her organization, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, Dr. Artika Tyner offers resources to foster literacy and education.