Why Take My Child To A Storyteller?
“Why take my child to a storyteller” is a frequent question. Many parents may consider that, in order for the child to know literary stories and fairy tales, it is enough to give him a book or read stories at home. However, there are several skills that storytellers use to narrate that make the children’s experience completely enjoyable and educational.
Who is the storyteller?
The term storyteller comes from the translation of the English word storyteller. It is an individual, at first belonging to the family nucleus, who is responsible for narrating anecdotes, legends, myths or fables of an educational nature for the children of the family.
Its main objective is to educate the little ones about the dangers, adversities and all kinds of moral precepts of life in society. These individuals stand out for possessing artistic gifts or expressive qualities that arouse the imagination of the little ones to the maximum, as well as their intuitive capacity. In this way, it makes the message of the fabulous tales deeply imprinted in their minds.
The storyteller as a professional in children’s entertainment is a figure that was rescued in Latin America from the 20th century on. It starts with a fundamental premise: that children cannot read. However, even those who have already acquired this skill absorb the stories told by these narrators as if they were telling a true story.
This effect occurs because , when reciting literary verses by heart and with theatrical gestures, the professional makes the children think that they are listening to a real adventure that this person has lived. So, they feel totally satisfied and happy to live such fun adventures.
Why take my child to a storyteller?
Children’s experiences with the storyteller are fun, educational and relaxing. In addition, they are also inserted in the world of artistic manifestations. Below, let’s list some of the most important benefits:
1. Approaching the arts
The experience with the storyteller goes back to a beautiful historical tradition that reveals centuries of exchange of oral knowledge between children and adults. It is an act linked to cultural identity and collective memory for educational purposes.
In addition, the little ones are in the presence of an artist who acts as narrator, poet and actor in the same presentation. Without a doubt, children will experience their first approach to arts and culture in the best possible way.
2. Encourages the love of literature
When children hear the beautiful stories told by the storytellers, they feel a greater desire to read children’s literature and fantastic stories. This is because they begin to experience the emotions and stimuli of creating mental images, which doesn’t happen when they watch a movie that shows the narrative more explicitly.
From this mental exercise, children also become more intelligent and creative. At the same time, they also feel the need to create their own fun stories.
3. Develops the ability to listen and pay attention
While children listen to the storyteller, they need to share the narrative space with other children. This helps them to develop the ability to listen and pay attention, as they need to pay attention to each sentence in the story so as not to lose any detail of the narrative.
At the same time, it allows listening and language comprehension to be greatly stimulated. Not to mention the fact that the child’s lexicon will also increase.
4. Provides a fun time away from the television
Watching a storyteller is also a different and more “organic” option for children to experience a kind of fun away from television and video games. Both elements are often negative for their learning and development.
As a final piece of information, you should know that the storyteller movement is very prolific in Spain and Latin America. It stands out in countries like Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Spain, Cuba, Argentina and Chile.
All participate in more than one hundred national and international festivals annually and also have permanent spaces for the reception of children. So don’t wait any longer: take your little one to enjoy this fun and educational experience.
