Stories and Values
Think back to some of the earliest stories you learned. Were they fairy tales? Fables? Folktales? You might remember the characters or plot, but it’s equally possible that some of those details have receded in you memory, and what you recall is a message, like “sour grapes” or “the boy who cried ‘Wolf.’”
You’re not alone. Stories have been used for centuries to teach important life lessons and classic tales rom cultures around the world are intended to teach generations about the values that culture holds dear. In fact, a simple Internet search easily yields traditional tales on important topics – such as kindness– from cultures and countries in every inhabited continent.
It shouldn’t be surprising because stories are a powerful tool to help people internalize lessons.
Why does it work?
Fostering Emotional Connection ❤️🔥
Stories help us form an emotional connection. When children read or hear a story, they often identify with the characters, feeling their joys, fears, and struggles. Or perhaps they find the character’s circumstance relatable. This emotional engagement is crucial for moral learning because it allows children to experience the consequences of actions in a deeply personal way. Emotions play a significant role in moral judgments and decision-making . When children empathize with a character facing a moral dilemma, they are more likely to internalize the lesson and apply it to their own lives.
Modeling Behavior 😇
Stories also provide clear examples of moral behavior, showing how characters navigate right from wrong. Aesop's fables often feature animals that must choose between honesty and deceit, kindness and cruelty. Because the dilemmas are not complex, the choices and consequences are easy for young learners to discern. These stories model behavior in a way that is accessible to children, showing them the benefits of good actions and the repercussions of bad ones. Since children learn by observing others, stories are a key medium through which they can observe moral behavior.
Encouraging Critical Thinking 🤔
Many stories present characters with moral conflicts, where they must make tough decisions. These scenarios encourage children to think critically about what is right or wrong and why. For example, in the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," children learn the importance of honesty through the boy's negative experience of lying. Discussing such stories helps children consider different perspectives and reason through moral implications, but they may require some help understanding how the lies told and consequences suffered by “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” are similar to issues of fibbing and trustworthiness in their own lives. It’s important to read the story, but also guide your children to understand “How might this relate to me” without being accusatory.
Teaching Cultural and Social Norms 🎯
Stories often reflect the values and norms of a society, making them an effective tool for teaching children about the moral standards expected of them. For instance, traditional tales from various cultures often emphasize virtues like respect, loyalty, and bravery, helping children internalize these values as part of their own moral framework. Research shows that exposure to cultural stories helps children understand and navigate the social world around them. When reading such a story with your children, it’s important to explain why the value is important, or how the opportunity to practice that value might surface in their daily lives. Aesop’s fable of “The Fox and the Grapes” gives us the opportunity to talk about being happy for others, not disparaging someone else’s accomplishments (out of jealousy or lack of understanding).
Nurturing Imagination and Hypothetical Reasoning 🧠
Stories allow children to explore moral questions in a safe, imaginative context. They can "try out" different outcomes and see the results of various actions without facing real-world consequences. This imaginative engagement helps children develop hypothetical reasoning, which is essential for understanding complex moral issues. Child development research shows that imaginative play and storytelling are crucial for cognitive development, including moral reasoning. Read stories with your children and try using “What if” scenarios. What if neither the ant nor the grasshopper had worked hard to store food for the winter? What if none of the three little pigs had built strong homes?
How to Begin ➡️
It’s never too early or too late to begin. Pick up a book and read it to your children or if they are already reading, ask them to read it to you or with you. Then, take the time to discuss the story that you read,
Don’t ask questions that can be answered with a simple “yes or no.”
👍 👎
What did the characters learn? Did you like this story?
Is there a message in the story? Is this story interesting?
How can this lesson apply to us? Do you think you’ll use this lesson?
Finally, look for opportunities in your daily life to point out instances in which the stories are relevant. This keeps the stories top of mind and shows children that you are intentional about the lessons. If your younger child is unpleasant about an older siblings’ accomplishments, gently reference “The Fox and the Grapes” as a reminder about being happy for others and not being jealous about what you are currently unable to do.
While sharing stories is a great way to connect with children and provide them with the habit of becoming life-long readers, remember that stories are also a fundamental way in which children learn about the world and develop their moral compass. The stories you read in early childhood will help you set your children’s direction.
Enjoy the journey.
