The Importance of Storytelling and Oral Tradition in Childhood

Long before books were printed, before children learned to read, there were stories. Told by firelight, whispered at bedtime, shared on long walks or quiet afternoons, storytelling has always been one of the most natural ways for human beings to teach, to comfort, and to connect. The oral tradition is the root from which all literature grows, and for children, it remains one of the most powerful and enduring forms of learning.

Storytelling is as old as humanity itself. Long before history was written down, it was spoken - passed from one generation to the next through memory and imagination. Myths, folktales, and fables carried knowledge, values, and warnings, often wrapped in magic or humour. Aesop’s talking animals, the tricksters and heroes of Celtic legend, the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm - all began as stories told aloud, shaped by countless voices across centuries.

For children, this oral tradition still holds a special kind of enchantment. The sound of a familiar voice telling a story - a parent, grandparent, or teacher - creates a sense of warmth and belonging. The rhythm of speech, the rise and fall of tone, the pauses and laughter, all draw the listener into a shared imaginative space. In that space, the listener becomes a participant, not merely a receiver.

Listening to stories helps children develop empathy and understanding. Through voice alone, a storyteller can bring emotions to life - joy, fear, curiosity, surprise. A child learns to recognise these feelings in others and to connect them with their own experiences. Storytelling also teaches the rhythms of language: the beauty of phrasing, the melody of words, and the importance of silence.

Unlike reading silently, oral storytelling is communal. It encourages eye contact, attention, and response. The storyteller adjusts to the listener’s reactions - a widening of eyes, a giggle, a gasp - and the story becomes a living exchange. In this way, storytelling not only builds imagination but also strengthens social bonds.

Though modern children grow up surrounded by screens and printed words, the need for oral storytelling has not diminished. If anything, it has become more valuable. In an age of fast information, the spoken story asks us to slow down - to listen, to imagine, and to share time together. Whether it is a folktale, a family memory, or an improvised bedtime adventure, the act of telling a story aloud preserves something profoundly human.

Storytelling is both ancient and ever new. It carries the wisdom of the past while nurturing the creativity of the present. For a child, a story told aloud is more than entertainment; it's a first lesson in empathy, imagination, and language. Long after the tale is forgotten, the feeling remains - the sense of being held, listened to, and invited to dream.

I once read my story to an audience in a prehistoric cave - go figure!!!