{"id":5288,"date":"2026-07-06T22:25:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.gyerekrehangolva.hu\/?p=5288"},"modified":"2026-07-06T22:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:25:00","slug":"meseles-gyerekek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.gyerekrehangolva.hu\/en\/meseles-gyerekek\/","title":{"rendered":"Storytelling helps develop a child\u2019s personality, whereas watching TV merely keeps them occupied"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although in most families reading stories is mainly associated with bedtime, its true role is not limited to relaxation. A good story and the act of storytelling together form an integral part of healthy development and the transition to adulthood. It plays a part in the formation of attachment and self-image, as well as in intellectual, emotional and social development.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no coincidence that the bedtime story has become so widespread around the world. This ritual is a brilliant way to round off the day, relax an over-stimulated body and mind, bring the family together a little, and thereby ensure a peaceful night\u2019s sleep. However, storytelling is by no means merely about relaxation. Particularly not when it comes to children. For them, a good story and the act of storytelling together form an integral part of healthy development and growing into a well-adjusted adult. It helps them to understand themselves and the world. It gives them the opportunity to <\/span> to process their experiences<\/a> <\/span>and to prepare for events they have not yet experienced. Through it, they can learn to manage their own emotions, whilst it can also offer suggestions for dealing with certain situations in life. Through their vocabulary and unique musicality, stories told in prose and verse develop children\u2019s communication skills and musical sense. In addition to all this, spending time together with parents and other adults is of real value to children, as it strengthens their bonds and sense of security \u2013 which are fundamental to self-esteem, social relationships and, not least, learning.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The narrator is an integral part of the story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we talk about the importance of stories, we mustn\u2019t forget the storyteller either. The two are, in fact, inseparable. A child whom we sit in front of a screen \u2013 however much we do so at their request \u2013 does not get the same experience as one to whom we tell a story ourselves. Watching a story on screen has a great many negative impact<\/a> Although storytelling is important, particularly in terms of early childhood development, one of the main arguments against it is nevertheless that<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst storytelling develops the whole personality, screen time merely occupies the brain.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It does not encourage the audience (i.e. the child) to participate in the process. It does not require them to use their imagination to ask questions and, through this, find a connection between the story and their own life, nor does it allow them to follow the story at a pace that suits them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The storyteller\u2019s role is therefore important. Both their physical and emotional presence are necessary for storytelling to truly deliver the benefits demonstrated by research. The storyteller transforms the story. The child not only hears the words, but also senses the whole atmosphere and the emotional waves associated with the scenes. This creates an opportunity for connection, which greatly aids the development of the ability to empathise with others. As parents, we have the huge advantage of knowing our children, as this enables us to reassure them when they link an event that has happened to them with what they have heard. And this can work the other way round later on. For instance, whilst sitting on the bus, seeing a fire engine with its siren blaring through the window might remind them of that story we read to them the other day about a kitten stuck in a tree. Or they might hear an elderly person grumbling in the street, and, drawing on a favourite story, interpret this to mean that the person must be missing their grandchild. They link the story to their real-life experiences and, with our help, draw conclusions about the truths of life from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shared experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since the storyteller \u2013 that is, ideally us, the parents \u2013 plays an important role in the process, it is best if we enjoy it too. After all, it is the fact that everyone involved gets fully immersed in the story that makes the moment magical, exciting, joyful and educational. There are children for whom the reader is sometimes almost more important than the story itself. They may well be happy, even at the age of four, to listen to their parents reading a National Geographic article, because this creates the intimate atmosphere their little hearts need at that very moment. This is, of course, a relatively rare occurrence, but in any case, it is important that we strike the right balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s not force children to read literature that doesn\u2019t interest them, but let\u2019s not read stories that drive us up the wall either!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If, for example, we don\u2019t like reading stories in verse because we find it hard to get into the rhythm and don\u2019t feel sufficiently motivated to learn it, we should feel free to let it go. The same goes for making up stories. We should only take it on if we have an affinity for it and\/or the motivation to do so; otherwise, it loses its value for the child too. Fortunately, we\u2019re all different and have our own strengths, so it\u2019s enough to take on whatever we can do wholeheartedly. Perhaps Dad is the one who makes up stories off the top of his head, Mum is the patient one who reads stories whilst pointing out the pictures, whilst Grandma loves telling exciting stories from her own childhood best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fairy tales and development<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that storytelling is valuable for everyone, we must certainly take into account the age-group characteristics<\/a>. For babies and young children, looking at pictures is the most suitable activity. Spending time together strengthens the bond and helps their vocabulary to expand rapidly. As children grow older, their imagination becomes more developed, allowing them to engage with stories of a few sentences, whilst still looking at the pictures, of course. Around the age of 2\u20133, they begin to become more independent, and as a result, they show an increasing interest in longer stories, slide shows and made-up stories about themselves. They love it when, for example, we recount their day or spice it up with a bit of imagination. This is because children of this age are already beginning to distinguish themselves from others and are testing their own limits. \u2018I\u2019 stories help them to form their self-image. It may also happen during this period that they try to express their growing independence by telling us stories themselves. If we give them the space to do so, we can gradually gain an insight into their entire fantasy world from what may initially seem like gibberish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stories to Help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagination helps children to understand, accept and come to terms with reality. The play, drawing and stories<\/a> They also open the door to a world where everything makes sense in its own way. A world where children can come to terms with events that are still incomprehensible or uncontrollable to them, whether these are external factors or their own inner emotions. It is not just play, but stories too that can help a child relive events that have taken them by surprise. A well-chosen story can ensure that our child finds companionship, empathy, acceptance and a solution to their difficulties. A child who is struggling with toilet training or the arrival of a new sibling is likely to enjoy listening to a story where the main character also faces similar challenges. Through these stories, they can learn about other people\u2019s feelings as well as their own, and discover ways to manage and resolve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children always choose a story they can relate to in some way.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Whether or not we see the connection, it is important that we always respect their favourite and requested stories, because they know best what their souls need at any given moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A story is a gift, but it is also a tool. It is indispensable for our children. Stories develop the imagination, help children process their emotions, explain how life works, and offer solutions for dealing with situations appropriately. Yes, in their own way they teach and nurture, but they are not teaching materials! Everyone sees and interprets stories through their own \u201elens\u201d, and the soul needs this too. There\u2019s no need to draw lessons for our children; we simply need to answer the questions they ask. The fairy tale<\/a> a gateway to a world of imagination, where our child can experience complete freedom. Let them go, and let us simply be their silent companions on the journey, so that they may find their own answers to real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally published on: divany.hu, 14 May 2020.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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