Joy of Stories and Magic of Storytelling
To create, tell, love and imagine stories…together
Stories are a portal to that explosive world of imagination! Not just children, but adults love a good story too. The posts on the social media, the catching up over coffee and cocktails, the dinner parties and the playdates for children, are but a chance taken. For stories. Sadly, as e grow older, we leave the imaginary world behind and seek imagination in the retelling of the everyday stories.
Stories are us as we are stories. Long before we had history, we had stories. To tell teach other, to tell about each other. As far as our collective memories go, every facet of our lives have been embedded in stories.
Children today are no exception.
In the present scenario of smart phones and video games, stories are the common link that binds all. Stories of oneself, or of the others. Stories laced with realities or realities peppered with stories. The lines between the imagined and the unimagined, a little pronounced here, a little jarred there…
The moment a teacher walks in with a story book and sits in the class, there is a hush and a quiet. An expectation, a suspense. As they enter the amazing world of ‘Smartest Giant’ and ‘Giving Trees’ of ‘Hungry Caterpillar’ and ‘Big Al’, they transition into a world where the human world and the animal -plant world divide is blurred. Where problems can be solved and conflicts can be resolved. A world where all is not lost even when you are, where friends come in many shapes, forms and sizes! Where dreams are achievable and no idea is too small! Stories, for children, are not just for enjoyment alone they are but an assurance, a sanctuary of faith, in goodness and humanity.
Moreover, children’s world of stories are not just for children alone. They are also for the adults around children. They are a reminder that perhaps we are looking at the world through lenses that are tired. Lenses that are jarred with reality and practicality. Vision that sees the differences first, the barriers to high to scale. The joy of jumping in the puddles and licking ice -cream off the fingers, unabashed, are perhaps memories of the past.
Stories, especially the act of reading story books to and with children enables children to establish a relation with written words, a written world. Paving the path towards opening conversations and questions. It piques curiosity and eagerness to delve into world that are similar and different to the one they inhibit. It is one of the first window through which they see and make friends with the human and the natural world. The trees, clouds, rabbits and lions all have personalities and relatable traits. They have feelings and emotions; they can be smart or goofy and yet have friends that surround them. Stories and storytelling are the way to a child’s heart.
They are of paramount significance throughout the period of their childhood. Not only for preschoolers but children of all ages. It builds a beautiful bond between the storyteller and the listeners, it enhances creativity, humour in texts, builds receptive language and expressive language abilities, it fosters kindness and mutual respect, nurtures imagination and parallel thinking. Over and above, it brings joy!
As adults in the lives of our children, let’s keep the ‘sea of story’ alive!