Wasatch Students Discover Why Stories Matter

Do you remember “The Tortoise and The Hare” tale? How about “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” tale? These stories among many others, have been passed down in our culture for generations to symbolically demonstrate morals.

Wasatch elementary students would agree that stories are central to human cognition and communication. They are more than explanations of facts and events. They help us understand our place in the world, how to act wisely, discern between different perspectives and understand ourselves better.

“Anytime you tell your friends about your day or where you went on vacation, you are a storyteller,” said Wasatch Elementary Librarian Mrs. Peck. “I think books open up worlds. They allow us to learn life skills, solve problems, expand our vocabulary and experience the world without getting out of our comfort zones.”

In her years teaching, Mrs. Peck has noticed that some students need help emoting and expressing when they read. To help her students gain more confidence in this area, Mrs. Peck conducts a voice exercise. When ready, the students pick a “voice card” and recite a line from a book using that particular voice. From scary monster voices to sweet high-pitched voices, these students are act freely. “It’s amazing to see their confidence grow,” said Peck. “And it is fun to see how much the kids progress! I can see that storytelling makes a big difference in their lives.”

As human beings, we are automatically drawn to stories that we see ourselves reflected in. When you are trying to make new friend you share relatable stories that continue the conversation and form a bond. No matter how advanced technology gets, humans will still crave stories so they can make sense of the world. That is because stories give us perspective on what matters.

When asked what her favorite book was, Mrs. Peck said, “One of my favorite books to read with my students is the book called ‘Wonder’. This book is about service, respect and kindness. Whenever I’ve read this book with a class, I witness a more empathetic and kind cultured student body. It is truly inspiring.”

We are thankful to Mrs. Peck and all our librarians who help our children open windows to the world through reading.