The psychosocial benefits of oral storytelling in school: developing identity and empathy through narrative

What is it about?

This paper is about ways that oral storytelling interacts with psychological processes through such means as identification with story characters and seeing a story from the perspective of all the different characters. It focuses on the benefits of oral storytelling to children's lives and the idea that there is not enough of this kind of oral language practice, that remains unattached to literacy and text-mediated instruction, in contemporary schooling.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

It is important for children that come from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not have experience of the kind of language practice or early care-giving and social experiences that help them to effectively develop core psychological constructs. In addition, all children can benefit from oral language practice that enriches both their inner and outer worlds.