Storytelling Skills: Encouraging Children to Express Ideas Through Stories
- Total Communication
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Why storytelling matters more than we often realise
At Total Communication, many parent conversations start familiarly. A child may follow instructions, engage with routines, and interact with the world, yet struggle to explain what happened at school or tell a simple story. Parents often describe moments where their child “knows it in their head but can’t get it out.”
Storytelling is about more than words. It reflects how a child organises thoughts, links events, and shares meaning with others. When storytelling is difficult, communication can feel effortful and discouraging, even for children who appear capable in other areas.
Why do some children find storytelling hard?
Telling a story requires a child to coordinate several skills at once. They need to remember events, sequence them, choose words, form sentences, and consider what the listener needs to know. For children with developmental language differences, this can feel overwhelming.
In our experience, some children can answer direct questions or label objects but struggle when language is open-ended. Stories may be fragmented, repetitive, or missing key details. Some children rely on gestures or sound effects, while others say very little at all.
These patterns are not signs of laziness or lack of intelligence; they indicate that the child’s language system needs support to organise ideas into a clear, meaningful structure. Without this support, storytelling can quickly become something the child avoids, particularly in the classroom or social settings.
What We Reframe for Parents
A common belief is that storytelling will naturally improve with age. While development plays a role, children who consistently struggle benefit from early, intentional support. Waiting often allows frustration or avoidance to become entrenched.
Another misconception is that storytelling only matters for reading and writing. In reality, storytelling underpins everyday communication. It allows children to explain problems, share experiences, manage friendships, and participate confidently in learning.
How We Support Storytelling at Total Communication
At Total Communication Singapore, storytelling within our developmental therapy and wider programmes is intentionally treated as a process for learning and connection, not a performance. Our focus is on helping children understand how ideas connect and how language can work for them. Developmental Therapy is guided by careful observation, meaningful interaction, and an understanding of each child’s processing style.
Storytelling often develops through shared experiences, such as play, picture books, and real-life events. We model language gently, without pressure, using simple linking words and clear structure. Over time, children internalise these patterns naturally, rather than relying on memorised scripts.
Children receive support in ways that suit them. Some benefit from visual cues, others from repeated practice, and many need time and emotional safety before language begins to flow. Our Individualised Education Plans reflect these differences, focusing on long-term communication growth rather than quick fixes.
What Progress Often Looks Like
Progress in storytelling is gradual.
Parents often notice small but meaningful changes first: a child adds a detail, self-corrects, or shows more willingness to speak. Stories may remain disorganised, but the confidence to try is growing.
These moments matter. They signal that communication is becoming less stressful and more manageable. As confidence builds, clarity often follows.
An invite to connect with us
Every child has stories to tell. Some simply need the right support to express themselves in a way that feels achievable and respectful.
When we prioritise understanding over performance, storytelling becomes a tool for connection rather than pressure.
At Total Communication, our approach is evidence-based, child-centred, and rooted in daily experience with families. If you are wondering whether your child’s storytelling difficulties are something to explore, a conversation can be a helpful first step.
Seeking guidance is not about labelling or rushing progress. It is about understanding your child better and supporting communication in ways that build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections over time.
Connect with us today:
Call/WhatsApp: +65 9115 8895
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