Reblogged from A Teacher’s Reflections:

The reason storytelling has been a mainstay of communication for centuries goes far beyond imparting words to tell a story.  Words come to life when spoken aloud.  People have to listen, stretch their minds, and make the pictures in their head.

With young children this is especially important.  The brain develops first by hearing. Think about it; the primary method of instruction in school through third grade is oral. Take that a step further to telling a story, adding voices and ideas to make a child think. Those words translate into complex thoughts.  Children learn to problem solve, be brave, become accepting.  Storytelling opens a door to learning new things.

Perhaps my storytelling parallels my chapter reading, because they both give children the best learning.  There is no spoon feeding or visual or even a tangible.  It takes concentration.  Yet children beg to hear those words.  Boy, do they listen!

Last summer I wrote many of my ‘Jennie Stories’ on my blog.  One of my followers vividly remembers “The Peas and the Piano” story and pleaded with me to post it.  Of course all my stories are true, which is another element that children love; Jennie is just like the children when she was a little girl.  That’s a special bond.

Continue reading at A Teacher’s Reflections to read Jennie’s story