Teacher knowledge about language stimulation by storytelling

Abstract

Purpose: This paper investigates the behavior of storytelling by teachers and their preparation to use it as entertainment and as a language stimulation tool. Methods: 19 kindergarten teachers were interviewed regarding: 1) Training and preparation for storytelling; 2) Storytelling objectives 3) Language acquisition and development; and stimulation activities. Results: The data indicates that teachers perform storytelling activities in their daily practices with high frequency; they believe that such activity is positive for oral and writing language development, stimulates creativity, imagination and memory. However, they have sparing knowledge about the preparation of the stories, language development and on how to operationalize the inclusion of intentional language stimulation activities in the oral narrative. Conclusion: teachers carry out storytelling in their daily practices and believe it to be a fundamental factor in the development of oral and written language of the child, as well as creativity, imagination, learning and memory, but the professionals have received little or no formal preparation and do not expose themselves to professional presentations.