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Introduction: The Strength of Stories

  • Kelli Jo Kerry-MoranEmail author
  • Juli-Anna Aerila
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Educating the Young Child book series (EDYC, volume 16)

Abstract

Narratives in diverse forms are strong forces in children’s lives. Children learn concepts and phrases closely connected to stories, consider moral dilemmas, and tell stories of their daily lives and significant events; they dance, play, dramatize, and develop fantasy worlds through stories while processing information and developing new skills. They learn, grow, and think through stories with other children, adults, and individually. Stories can exert positive and powerful influences in all contexts of children’s lives. This chapter explores what counts as story and the forms that narratives may take. We assert that stories are powerful and protective agents for children. At their best and fullest, stories create meaningful sites for supporting the whole child.

Keywords

Holistic development Children’s narratives Story 
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Copyright information

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndianaUSA
  2. 2.University of TurkuRaumaFinland

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