Storytelling is not only a great way to apply language arts skills, it is also a unique way to tap into each student’s multiple intelligences.
In storytelling the listener needs a lot of imagination to be able to create the images of the people and the events in his or her mind. This takes a little more work, but if the story is told well the listener can have an extremely vivid experience. For the gifted storyteller, it takes even more effort to find the words and sounds, the tone and articulation of voice, and sometimes the expressions and body language necessary to create the images in the listeners’ minds.
The Multiple Intelligences Used in Storytelling
The Multiple Intelligence Theory indicates that children can be intelligent in ways other than what can be measured on IQ tests, and several kinds of multiple intelligences are used when telling a story. The most common intelligence used would be Linguistic Intelligence, where written or spoken words are this child’s strength. These children like to read, talk, and write stories, and like to learn by verbal memory, hearing and reading, all of which would be a good fit with storytelling.
Another likely intelligence would be Interpersonal Intelligence, since storytelling is an interactive activity unlike acting. Working and socializing with other people and supporting the work of groups in accomplishing tasks, and communicating with others typifies this kind of intelligence in students.
While a case could be made for almost all of the multiple intelligences, children displaying Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence who enjoy sports and dancing and acting could stand out during storytelling enhanced with action, and students who learn through Spatial Intelligence by thinking things through, visual memory, engineering and wondering can create some imaginative tales for the class!
