Raising Storytellers
How Stories Shape Learning at Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School
Storytelling is at the heart of being human.
From ancient cave paintings to modern digital recordings, stories help us make sense of the world, connect with others, and grow. Neuroscience reveals that experiencing a story lights up the brain as if living it firsthand. For young children, storytelling is essential—it nurtures literacy, fosters social-emotional growth, and empowers them to make sense of their world.
At Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School, storytelling is woven into our outdoor, nature-focused approach to education. The natural world provides the perfect backdrop for children to develop their imaginations and build connections. Whether naming a forest path, inventing characters during play, or crafting tales inspired by the creatures and landscapes they explore, our children use storytelling to understand their environment and their place within it.
Playing with story.
Literacy Development in Nature
Our teachers carefully select books that inspire curiosity and reflection, introducing children to characters, themes, and vocabulary that expand their minds. Through shared classroom stories and imaginative play outdoors, children develop their narrative skills, enrich their language abilities, and connect deeply with the written word. These experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of reading and a strong command of self-expression.
Social-Emotional Growth Through Stories
Storytelling also helps children navigate their emotions and relationships. By creating and sharing stories, they explore complex feelings, practice collaboration, and build empathy. A child nervous about their first day of school or grieving the loss of a pet can process those experiences through the lens of a story, gaining confidence and understanding. The calm, grounding nature of storytelling—whether in a circle under the trees or during a quiet moment with a book—supports emotional regulation and resilience.
Once upon a time, Aristotle was walking through an orchard of apple trees. She doesn't hear a dog growling at her, but there is one. It's a brown dog. Aristotle sees the dog and starts to run away.
The Language of Play and Connection
At our school, storytelling is part of every day. Children invent shared narratives with classmates, pass down stories from older peers, and even give names to the destinations they visit in our outdoor spaces. This shared history fosters a deep sense of community and belonging, helping children see themselves as valued members of their group.
At Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School, we raise storytellers who learn to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. Through stories, our children connect to language, peers, and the natural world, gaining the tools to navigate life with creativity, empathy, and confidence.