LIT TODAY
Storytelling in schools by David James

(From F&F#50 August 2004)

I watched in amazement as 120 children sat on a hall floor with eyes wide and mouths open. An entire year group, rapt in wonder for an hour, held captive by the power of words. They were actively listening and responding to a Storyteller who held them in the palm of his hand. They smiled, they groaned; they jumped and they giggled. The Teller had no book but his story was written large on their faces. That was what made me leave teaching and start Storytelling. I wanted to share in the magic.

Three years on and now a full time professional Storyteller, I have learned that children love to listen to and tell stories: it is a way for them – for all of us - to share the tales of our lives, our history and culture. It is how we can learn to give context to and frame our experience – and it is fun. The process of listening to, remembering and retelling stories enhances every facet of a child's development. It helps develop language and listening skills; breeds vocal confidence and performance skill; develops the imagination; spurs the memory; aids visualisation and interpretive skills and is valuable in problem solving and citizenship.

The highlights of a career in storytelling for me have included a shy Dyslexic student who discovered a natural talent for telling in workshops and finished by telling in public performance. When her teachers and her friends asked her where all her wonderful material came from and how she had developed the confidence to perform so well, she smiled and said: 'It's easy. You open your mouth and God puts the words in for you. And there's no writing to get in the way of your thinking.' I should also mention the personal satisfaction of my Grandson who, when I was called upon to baby sit, said: 'Don't tell me a bedtime story from a book, Granddad; tell it with your body.'

Storytelling has been with us for as long as we have had ears to listen. It has been passed from lips to ears and from minds to hearts ever since we learned to speak. But Storytelling evolves, grows and changes – even from one telling to the next of the same story. It is a direct and instant two-way communication between teller and listener. It is a crucial and interactive developmental tool for Literacy, Personal Development and for Citizenship.

So: For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories (Richard II)

Telling to young people and getting them to tell their stories allows not only the development of listening skills but introduces oral language patterns. Knowledge and skill with the spoken word is a prerequisite to success in reading. Telling tales gives an understanding of story shape and structure and so has a positive impact upon personal and creative writing. In addition, the performance of a professional teller uses so many other 'multiple intelligence' learning strategies. It is visual; there may be music and rhythm. It is both inter and intra personal. Storytelling, multi faceted like the crystal of a Dragon's heart, is the 'missing link' of Education for Literacy.

Using Traditional Tales as part of a Telling Experience can help with the appreciation of our heritage and that of others. The listeners' worldview can be expanded in a non-threatening way and they develop the ability to interpret events beyond their own immediate experience. It is a contribution to social and cognitive development as the listeners feel joy for another's happiness or sadness at their misfortune. Maybe storytelling aids the development of an ethical value system. Storytelling is an essential tool in Education for Citizenship.

For me, though, the greatest advantage of Storytelling is that it is exciting, entertaining and fun. Fun makes learning happen. You can watch as the power of the spoken word strikes back in this world of sedentary television viewing, of solo computer games. Listeners are part of the creation of a common shared moment that is still a highly personal experience. It can give structure to their daydreams and fantasies.

May your sleep be filled with dreams and may your dreams be filled with stories.

Close this window to return to ARTICLES