Storytelling and Emotional Health: The Hidden Benefits for Your Child
- fablette
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
How everyday stories can help kids name feelings, build resilience, and feel more connected.
Audiobooks, picture books, and the tales you make up at bedtime all have something in common: they’re small, steady ways to help your child understand themselves and the world. When a parent pauses to ask, “How did that make the rabbit feel?” or retells a funny moment from the day, you’re not just filling time—you’re shaping skills that support emotional health.
A simple story—told slowly, with care—can become a place where feelings get named and big moments feel a little smaller.
The science behind storytelling
Shared reading and storytelling aren’t just “nice to have.” Pediatric guidance highlights that reading together fosters conversation, joy, language growth, and social-emotional development .
There’s also evidence that stories can shift physical biology: in one study with hospitalized children, a single storytelling session was linked with higher oxytocin, lower cortisol, less pain, and more positive emotion!
How you talk about past events matters, too. Research on “elaborative reminiscing” (inviting your child to tell and retell everyday experiences with open questions and feeling words) helps build more coherent personal narratives—foundations for emotion regulation.
When you add simple prompts during book time, your child improves in attention and language skills, with growing evidence for social-emotional improvements too.
The “empathy muscle” can also be exercised through stories. Training studies suggest that guided storytelling and perspective-taking activities can support theory of mind (understanding others’ thoughts and feelings).
How to bring storytelling into daily life
Make space for feelings in the plot. When characters face a problem, pause: “What do you think they’re feeling? What could help?” (Aligned with pediatric literacy guidance on conversation-rich reading.)
Try dialogic reading prompts. Use “WH” questions (who, what, when, where, why), repeat and expand your child’s answers, and let them be the “story leader.” Even 5 minutes helps.
Retell your day together. At dinner or bedtime, take turns sharing a “high,” a “low,” and a “wow.” Ask open questions (“What happened next?” “How did your body feel?”). This mirrors elaborative reminiscing techniques linked to emotion understanding.
Keep routines soft and steady. A consistent wind-down with a story can lower arousal and invite connection, which promotes good conditions for sleep and next-day regulation.
Looking for stories to benefit your child’s emotional health?
We are creating a multilingual storytelling app that lets families pass down culture, pride, and identity through the magic of audio stories. Join the beta and help us make every heritage be heard!
