The importance of Storytelling for improved written and spoken expression.

Once upon a time, kids wrote stories just for the fun of it. Some of us still remember the joy of filling up blank notebooks with wild adventures. I can still picture my mother handing me a writing book and saying, “Write something every day and draw a picture next to it.”

And I did.

That simple habit shaped my language, my imagination, and my voice. I grew up with two languages and this technique of writing everyday helped me in my storytelling and language skills.

But now, the writing in many students has noticeably declined.

It’s not a lack of intelligence, it’s a lack of practice.

And here’s the truth we need to say kindly but clearly:

Parents expect perfect writing from school, but children can’t improve if they don’t put in the effort at home.

A little bit of reading and writing each day goes a long way, especially when it’s supported by the people they trust most.

Here’s why storytelling deserves a comeback in both the classroom and the living room.

1. Storytelling Builds Better Thinkers and Writers

Before children can write well, they need to think in stories. When we let them invent characters, imagine problems, and build plotlines, they’re learning:

• Structure

• Logic

• Emotion

• Language

These skills don’t grow on worksheets alone. They need real use, every day, in and out of school.

Tip for Parents: Don’t worry about correcting everything. Just encourage writing journals, comic strips, silly poems. The goal is expression, not perfection.

2. Theater Brings Storytelling to Life

Not every child loves writing. But almost every child loves to play.

Storytelling through theater is a brilliant way to develop language, confidence, and empathy.

For Teachers: Let students act out scenes, rewrite endings, or perform original skits.

For Parents: Encourage dress-up play, puppet shows, or even filming a homemade “mini-movie.” It’s not just fun, it’s language development in action.

3. Stories Teach Empathy and Expression

When kids hear or tell stories, they learn how to:

• Feel what others feel

• Talk about their own emotions

• Make sense of hard things

Storytelling gives children a way to slow down, reflect, and grow something that’s often missing in fast-paced digital life.

At bedtime, try asking: “What was the best part of your day?” or “What did you learn from today?”

4. Growth Comes From Home, Not Just School

We can’t say this enough, children who read and write regularly at home are far ahead in school.

• Fifteen minutes of reading a day builds vocabulary and comprehension

• Weekly journaling improves fluency

• Telling stories strengthens imagination and confidence

Friendly reminder: Teachers do their best, but we only get a few hours with your child each week. The biggest impact happens when school and home work together.

5. How to Bring Storytelling Into Daily Life

At Home

• Share real stories from your childhood

• Encourage your child to tell stories about their day

• Let them write, draw, or record their own tales

• Praise effort, not perfection

At School

• Use drama to explore characters and themes

• Create space for daily freewriting

• Let students share personal stories out loud

Final Thought

Storytelling isn’t extra. It’s essential.

It builds language, empathy, creativity, confidence — and it brings us closer. Children who grow up surrounded by stories grow up knowing they have something to say, and someone who will listen.

So teachers, keep telling the stories.

And parents, keep making space for them.

Fifteen minutes a day, one book, one journal entry, one silly tale, can make all the difference.

Let’s raise a generation that writes boldly, speaks clearly, and imagines endlessly.