Role of Storytelling in the Curriculum

Let us dive into storytelling and its impact on how we learn. "Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener's imagination," is the definition offered by the National Storytelling Network. The art of sharing stories has existed for over 30,000 years, from the earliest cave drawings found in France, and has been a thriving oral tradition shared from generation to generation. These verbal recitations support all learning styles while creating bonds among people, cultures, and ideas. 

How we have shared these stories falls primarily into three categories of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Vanessa Boris wrote an article for Harvard Business Publishing titled, “What Makes Storytelling So Effective For Learning?”,  which delves into this topic of learning styles and how storytelling connects powerfully with people. “Visual learners appreciate the mental pictures storytelling evokes. Auditory learners focus on the words and storyteller’s voice. Kinesthetic learners remember the emotional connections and feelings from the story.” Her research shows that in any group, learners are approximately 40% visual, 40% auditory, and 20% kinesthetic, so storytelling reaches all audiences.

Storytelling and learning have gone hand-in-hand for good reason through enhanced imagination to help visualize spoken words, improved vocabulary and refine communication skills. From childhood, sharing stories that enhance a moral compass is a prime example of learning through storytelling. It allows people to self-identify and problem-solve in a risk-free environment by learning how others before them have handled similar situations. Another benefit is that storytelling strengthens the human connection. For all of us, stories reshape into something more meaningful, and we are more likely to share it with others.

Waldorf education cherishes storytelling and in schools, conferences, and faculty meetings where you’ll find biographies, fairy tales, folk tales, fables, legends, myths, and stories from history shared with students, colleagues, and friends. In Waldorf classrooms, stories are traditionally told by the teacher. Generally, the same story is told and retold over the course of a few days which helps deepen the students’ experience of the story and the lessons that will develop along with the story. Consistent verbal retelling can include various other mediums, including puppets, movement, and acting. Picture books, media, or other visual aids that influence imagery are not used in this process, allowing children to develop their own imagination and imagery of the story. This method supports the unfolding of the child’s learning and understanding naturally and joyfully through human connection and the discovery of different characters and adventures through oral storytelling. 

Here at Cedarwood Waldorf School, we teach through story in this way, especially in the Early Childhood and lower grades. We encourage all children to embrace and digest stories at their own pace, learning to retell stories from their hearts. Having many avenues to approach learning helps our children develop their well-rounded and creative thinking.

If you are interested in learning more about our curriculum firsthand, please schedule a tour. If you would like to read the article used in this post, you can read the entirety of the article, "What Makes Storytelling So Effective For Learning?"