The Art of Storytelling
Why do I place such high importance on storytelling? Because I genuinely believe it is one of the most simple and beautiful ways to connect—with the land, with ourselves, and with each other. It's something we use more often than we realize, yet we massively underappreciate. Storytelling is essentially the art of passing information from person to person. Historically, roaming bards traveled the land sharing stories. Today, while travel is quicker, the importance of passing on stories remains the same. Our cultures are built on oral storytelling, but I'll let you explore that on your own.
Whether you're a parent looking to build a repertoire of stories or a businessperson seeking more effective ways to deliver information, you need look no further than a professional storyteller. They have mastered the art of storytelling, using tools that help structure information until it’s ready to be delivered in a compelling way. The richly decorated language they use helps create vivid pictures in your mind, bringing visions to life. Storytelling, when done effectively, is an immersive and unforgettable experience. Just search for “storytelling” online, and you’ll find a wealth of information. We often mistake “storytelling” for simply reading stories to children, but it extends far beyond that. From storybooks lining your shelves to the myriad ways stories are used in business, community, and learning environments, the humble word “story” is bursting with possibilities.
The act—or as I see it, the art—of storytelling should not be overlooked. When done well, it evokes a wide range of human emotions, connecting you to more than just the person telling the story. Emotions bubble up, anger, empathy, compassion, pride, motivation, inspiration, and love are all part of the experience. Think of a time when a story made you stop in your tracks—maybe something you saw on TV, a marketing campaign, a movie, a personal anecdote, or even your child retelling something they learned. You remember it because it was told in a noteworthy way, holding significance for you, regardless of whether the experience was positive or negative.
Imagine passing this skill on to your child—the ability to be remembered and to remember important things. I believe that engaging with storytelling is one of the most beautiful ways to learn a lifelong skill. The tools you pass on to your child through storytelling will serve them in countless ways as they grow into adulthood.
Now, since I’m not quite finished sharing my enthusiasm for storytelling, have you considered how it can be used in daily life? Take a look at this list and see how you might incorporate more storytelling into your life:
Passing on family memories and traditions
As a form of artistic expression
Connecting communities
Passing on cultural stories from generation to generation
As a business tool—advertising, marketing, networking
As a learning aid—language development, strategy, timelines, building curiosity and emotional intelligence
As a form of therapy
To build confidence—expressing thoughts and developing personal insights
Building a ritual of gratitude at the end of your day
Resources to delve into:
Diana Nyad recently spoke about storytelling and its power.
Storytelling as a form of therapy for children
The Society for Storytelling
Bud Greenspan - the film maker who told the stories of humans behind the olympians
Carmel Page - Yorkshire Storyteller (friend of Kith)
Beth Guiver - Singing Storyteller (friend of Kith)
Be sure to book a spot in our upcoming storytelling workshop, Stories for Families to Treasure.
Join author and storyteller Carmel Page at Kith for a morning workshop of story-making designed for you and your family (this workshop is for children 5 years and over). During this 2 hour interactive workshop: Stories for Families to Treasure; Carmel will lead you and your family on a wonderful adventure, equipping you with tools and ideas for storytelling with your children.
