THE INFLUENCE OF STORYTELLING ON CHILDREN'S COGNITIVE AND IMAGINATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Storytelling, an ancestral practice present in various cultures, resource in early childhood education. This study examines the influence of oral narratives on children’s cognitive and imaginative development, emphasizing their role in the formation of symbolic thinking, vocabulary expansion, and socio-emotional growth. Through a qualitative literature review, books, articles, and pedagogical documents addressing storytelling as an educational practice were analyzed. The findings indicate that storytelling enhances creativity, strengthens mental processes such as memory and attention, and fosters imaginative elaboration. Additionally, it promotes affective bonds and contributes to children’s emotional development by offering symbolic models that help them interpret experiences and construct their identities. The study underscores the importance of integrating storytelling into daily school practices in an intentional and continuous manner, aligning it with the fundamental principles of Early Childhood Education and with humanized pedagogical methodologies. It also advocates for the expansion of educational spaces, materials, and teacher training initiatives that value literature as an essential tool for meaningful and holistic learning.