Storytelling and the National Curriculum:

Early Years Foundation Stage

In recent years there is universal recognition that the skills of speaking and listening cross all areas of the curriculum.

The oral tradition of storytelling offers children a natural, easy way to absorb many aspects of the Early Years  Foundation Stage, most notably communication, language and literacy.

For example shared stories offer opportunity to *interact with others, negotiate and take turns in conversation*

Interactive stories encourage children to *listen to and use spoken language, and readily turn it into their play and learning*

Traditional tales support children’s attempts to *Retell narratives in the correct sequence, drawing on language patterns of stories*

In addition, storytelling also touches vital facets of children’s Personal, Social and Emotional development, their Creativity, and Knowledge & Understanding of the World.

Enhancing the literacy hour.

Literacy in a literate world is every child’s birthright – but the ‘means whereby’ can prove arduous for the young child to grasp.

It has been proven that story telling sessions in schools can enhance the journey to meeting National Curriculum targets in English. Not only in *Speaking and Listening*, but also in *Reading and Writing*. Children whose imaginations are fired by live storytelling sessions are motivated to explore this field with their own inventions.

That the experience is also socially enriching and enhancing is invaluable in offering children personal and social achievements, so vital to learning and living in the community.