Sentry Page Protection
Click Here for Student Login Student Login
Student Login
Welcome, (First Name)!
Forgot? Show
Log In
Enter Student Area
My Profile Not a student? Sign up. Log Out

CURRICULUM AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT * 2 HOURS * LEVEL 2

Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tales in the Early Childhood Classroom
The Importance of Oral Storytelling

Page 8
Oral storytelling, or sharing stories using only spoken word, is the oldest form of teaching. It is how our ancestors passed on information, and storytelling is innately human. We all have stories to tell and the desire to tell them. Storytelling continues to be used in the classroom as a teaching strategy. It differs from read-aloud time in that no physical text is involved. You tell the story simply from memory. Even the youngest children can listen to stories and begin to practice storytelling on their own. 
Listening to and telling stories, including fairy tales, is valuable for children of all ages. Here are just some of the benefits:
  • Develops verbal skills
  • Encourages creativity and imagination
  • Increases attention span
  • Enhances listening skills
  • Increases classroom community
  • Increases comprehension and retention skills
How to Become a Better Storyteller
​Storytelling is a learned skill, so if you are not the best at it just yet, don’t worry! The following ideas can help you hone your craft and become an awesome storyteller for your students:
  • Use your entire body to tell the story, this includes facial expressions.
  • Use your space. You don’t have to stay in one spot.
  • Don’t talk too fast. Children need time to process what you are saying.
  • Vary your pitch and tone to keep the listener engaged.
  • Use props! You can keep a prop bin in your classroom for storytelling time.
  • Use different voices for different characters. 
  • Make eye contact with different listeners.
  • Use silence and pause for dramatic effect.
  • Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the more natural you will become.
Vocabulary
As previously stated, telling stories plays an important part in early literacy development. An additional aspect of this is vocabulary building. As you share a new story with children, they are introduced to new words in a natural and meaningful way. The following video explains how teachers can use stories to enhance vocabulary development in the classroom.