INTERNATIONAL BOOK WEEK - THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

Last Tuesday, the students at TIS Primary were treated to some storytelling fun in conjunction with International Book Week. Themed, "Stories from Around The World," parents' association volunteers Eugene Kok and Grant Colbron kept the children enthralled and entertained with stories and activities.

Busy dads Gene and Grant, consummate storytellers of the day,
enchanting the children with their tales from around the world.

People of all ages, particularly children have an innate love of storytelling. There are many benefits to having storytellers engage with children. Storytelling helps develop and enhances listening skills. Stories cultivate imagination, creativity and teach character. Stories can foster the desire to read independently. Research has shown that children can listen on a higher language level than they can read. Stories make complex ideas more accessible and exposes children to increased verbal proficiency.

I truly believe the world of tomorrow belongs to innovators and storytellers. Storytelling moves people! Stories can link not only the classroom and home, but also between the classroom and beyond. Is it no wonder then, that schools revel in the power of storytelling...?!

Ms Val Dombey in a Year 6 class,
telling the life story of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926.

Photographs courtesy of Ruth Silva and Julia Oh

Article by Julia Oh