Why Real-life Stories Are Just as Crucial as Storybooks for Your Child?
Hello Fellow Parents,
I am sure most of you have experienced staying in a joint family at some point or even throughout your childhood. Isn't that something we all miss now? I can vouch for many of you. I still remember that house where 20 family members used to stay together, sharing kitchens, dining rooms, and other common areas of our house. Despite all the challenges faced by our parents, I remember there used to be a group of kids always playing in that veranda and those evenings when my dadi used to tell me stories not from any books but from her memories.
Now, being an adult and a parent, I realize the importance of those stories. I feel they have truly shaped my personality in some way or another. And now that I am on the other side of the road, I realize the importance of storytelling for a child.
Nowadays, since most of us live in nuclear families, our children don’t get the opportunity to be part of a big cousin’s group. To encourage a reading habit in my child, I used to order lots of books and read to her daily. I used to feel that this is the best way to teach her life skills and moral values. Isn't it the same for many parents?
But one day, while I was traveling with my child and we had no storybooks around, I thought I would make up some story and tell her. I started narrating one incident of my childhood to her. I was surprised that she remembered each and every word of that story, and from the next time whenever I took a book and read her a story, she said, “Please mujhe apne bachpan ki kahani sunao.” That time, I realized that story listening is such an interesting part of childhood, and it becomes even more interesting when your kid imagines you being a character in it. These real-life stories of yours not only make them very good listeners but also give them a sense of right or wrong.
So parents, don’t worry too much about how many storybooks you read to your child; try narrating your real-life learned lessons to them and see the magic they do on your child’s memory. It will not only make them better listeners but will also create an environment for them which most of us think they have missed.
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As a parent, all I wish is to raise my child to be mindful, thoughtful, joyful, and balanced. Coming across the work of The Hush Tree made my heart relaxed, and I am sure it does the same for all the parents who hope to instill essential habits in their kids, whether it's reading or heartfelt communication, nutrition or problem-solving, financial literacy to journaling, and so much more. If you haven't opened The Hush Tree's journey to your child yet, give it a try. You will feel happy.
As a parent, all I wish is to raise my child to be mindful, thoughtful, joyful, and balanced. Coming across the work of The Hush Tree made my heart relaxed, and I am sure it does the same for all the parents who hope to instill essential habits in their kids, whether it's reading or heartfelt communication, nutrition or problem-solving, financial literacy to journaling, and so much more. If you haven't opened The Hush Tree's journey to your child yet, give it a try. You will feel happy.
