What are the benefits of storytelling in education?

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Story telling is one of the most exciting times at primary school it can adapt imagination and creativity while learning educationally. Children love to hear and read stories. “Storytelling stretches children’s vocabularies, expands their horizons and extends their ability to learn” (Gibb,2016). 


There are many obvious benefits from storytelling, But the most striking benefits where found in a research document by the department of education on early years pupils. According to the key findings the widest attainment gap was found in comparing pupils eligible for free school meals and all others, was in reading and writing. This was very intriguing because it made you question why does it matter? Evidently it has a big impact on a child’s development because class conversations about stories or story telling time widens children’s knowledge on vocabulary that they can then go on to use in their own creative writing. Relating back to the research the educational department conducted, its important as teachers to emphasise on the importance of storytelling because some children may not have the advantage of being able to read a story at home, so it’s important from the age of 3 for a child to have a great start with storytelling, even if the only opportunity to read is during school.

There are many other benefits to storytelling these include exploration into the 6 areas of learning and experience, a child can learn effectively through story telling. One of the most beneficial forms story telling can give to a child is stabilising their well-being, storytelling can help a child role play within real life situations, it can help children relate. After many research projects with the wide topic of story telling the results showed that story telling is a significant part of a child’s emotional wellbeing (European,2017). 
There are many other benefits from storytelling in a class room:
·      Stories can Promote well-being and relaxation within a class room.
  • Story telling can Increase children's willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings.
  • It can Encourage active participation, help get confidence and answer’s out of a classroom.
  • A teacher can assess informally to see if children grasp a concept.
  • It Increases verbal proficiency.
  • Encourage use of imagination and creativity, whether this is in play, creative writing or contribution within class.
  • Encourage cooperation between students, this can include team work and contribution to ideas.
  • Enhance listening skills.
(Stoyle,2018)
Story telling is one of the most momentous time’s I had at primary school. I remember learning about Roald Dahl and my teacher would read us The Twits very vivid with so much enthusiasm, she would play every single character with a different voice to suit every character, to make everybody’s imagination go crazy. A few chapters in my teacher would choose a few people to become these characters and role play alongside her this links back to one of the most important benefits story telling can provide, such as confidence building. 
There are many activities you can do after storytelling, such as creative writing:
(Creative writing task to a pupil) 
The purpose of this task was to write to a pupil in a primary school and for them to write a letter back to a character. There are many benefits from doing this such as developing imagination, using creative writing skills and helps communicates thoughts and ideas. Below is a letter back from a pupil at Ysgol Bryn Tabor .


Reference’s



European (2017). Utilizing Storytelling to Promote Emotional Well-Being of Children with a Distinct Physical Appearance: The Case of Children Who Wear Eyeglasses | Brouzos | The European Journal of Counselling Psychology. [online] Available at: https://ejcop.psychopen.eu/article/view/96/html.

Gibb, N. (2016). The importance of storytelling. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-importance-of-storytelling.

Stoyle, P. (2018). Storytelling - benefits and tips. [online] TeachingEnglish | British Council | BBC. Available at: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/storytelling-benefits-tips.