Children do not passively listen to stories. They actively engage with them by asking questions, making predictions, and connecting the story to their own lives and experiences. They may also act out the story or create their own illustrations.
With a vivid imagination:
Children have a much richer and more vivid imagination than adults. They can easily picture the characters, settings, and events in the story in great detail. This allows them to become fully immersed in the story and to experience it on a deeper level.
With empathy and emotion:
Children are very empathetic and can easily put themselves in the shoes of the characters in the story. They feel the characters' emotions and experiences and often react with strong emotions of their own, such as joy, sadness, anger, or fear.
With a sense of wonder and awe:
Children have a natural sense of wonder and awe, which makes them more receptive to the magical and fantastic elements of stories. They are captivated by the extraordinary and the unexpected and often find great delight in the details and surprises that stories offer.
As opportunities for learning and growth:
Children learn a lot from stories. They develop their language skills, their imagination, and their emotional intelligence. They also learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. Stories can help children to understand themselves and their place in the world and to develop their own values and beliefs.
* Children use their imagination to create mental images of the characters, settings, and events in the story. They see the world through the eyes of the characters and experience the emotions that the characters feel. This helps them to develop empathy and understand other people's perspectives.
* Stories can help children to make sense of their own lives. They can learn about different cultures, religions, and ways of life. They can also learn about important life lessons, such as the importance of kindness, friendship, and courage.
* Children can also learn from the mistakes that characters make in stories. This can help them to avoid making the same mistakes in their own lives. Stories can teach children about the consequences of their actions and help them to develop a strong moral compass.
* Stories can provide a sense of comfort and security for children. When they are feeling scared or alone, they can turn to stories for comfort. Stories can help them to relax and forget about their troubles for a while.
* Stories can also inspire children. They can learn about the lives of great people and be inspired to achieve their own goals. Stories can also help children to develop a love of learning and a passion for life.