The Benefits of Oral Storytelling

Over the course of the week the RRED Pod has taken a deep dive into the

benefits of Oral Storytelling for young folks (and grown folks too). If we

weren't convinced before we are certainly convinced now, that Oral

Storytelling is one the most powerful means of introducing, scaffolding, and

consolidating information so that learners will retain it long term.

Here is a breakdown of the incredible ways Oral Storytelling benefits learners

of all ages!

1. Oral Storytelling helps literacy and language develop by bridging oral

   language skills and written language skills through mentor texts. It builds academic language by introducing new vocabulary, syntax, and discourse

   structures. Furthermore, it encourages generative language over

   memorization and improves reading comprehension and writing fluency.

   
   

2. Oral Storytelling improves cognition and communication skills by

   increasing attention spans and enhancing retention of new information.

   Storytelling encourages prediction, questioning, and active

   engagement with language. In addition, it promotes comprehension of

   sentence patterns and grammar through rhythm and structure.

   
   

3. Oral Storytelling has important social-emotional and expressive benefits, such as fostering self-expression and emotional regulation. Through stories children can process experiences, including trauma, in a safe environment. Class communities also improve, given that storytelling facilitates peer connections as shared experiences come to light. Stories also build deep empathy and social understanding, and bring forth student's funds of knowledge.

   
   

4. Oral Storytelling promotes culturally responsive teaching by incorporating diverse learners, language profiles, wealths of knowledge, and diverse cultural storytelling traditions. This low barrier to entry method of introducing culturally relevant material into your classroom ensures that all learners have the opportunity to expand their world view. Most significantly for those of us teaching in the place commonly known as Canada, is the importance of infusing Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being into your teaching pedagogy across all curricular content- Oral Storytelling provides the perfect introduction to Indigenous Oral Storytelling Traditions, and opens the door for community Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share their information with students.

   
   

5. Oral Storytelling supports Universal Design for Learning by engaging learners of all skillsets, learning styles, and engagement preferences. To ensure that Oral Storytelling is truly inclusive in your classroom provide imagery, supportive documents (either text or braille) and follow up with resources for deeper learning.