STORIES CAN TEACH US EVERYTHING

Stories to Unlock Learning

Stories have always delivered important lessons. Traditional tales pass down a culture’s values and wisdom. But stories can do so much more to teach what learners need to know.

• Speak your truth.

• Reserve judgement.

• Honor yourself and others.           

• Have Dialogue.

USING STORIES AS GATEWAYS TO LEARNING

Stories Form Natural Connections To The Brain

After tens of thousands of years of listening to storytellers, the brains of human beings are programmed for listening deeply to stories. In a neurological process called neural coupling, the brain activity of listeners to stories matches the brain activity of the storyteller.

When people are listening to a story, their mind is going where the teller’s mind is going. They are taking a journey with the teller wherever the story leads them.

If the teller leads them to a different perspective, or a new concept, or opens the door to new information or skills, learning takes place.

Stories help people become more receptive to new concepts, new information, and problem solving. Their minds are actively engaged in the connections the story has formed.