Why story time is important for a child's social development

Have you wondered why we all like a good story? Why we are drawn to water-cooler gossip and locker room chit chat? And why, some of our most loved memories are centred on storytime with mum and dad?

Evolutionary science has finally figured out why Homo sapiens trumped all other life forms on this planet. Historian Yuval Noah Harari, in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, tells us that the ability of humans to think as a group bestowed on them the capacity to multiply their efforts towards a particular task and to succeed where no individual man or a group of animals could.  

So powerful was this attribute that it gave birth to the concept of tribes, professions, kingdoms, nations, religions and ‘isms’ (ideologies). It was stories that led to the establishment of pernicious practices such as slavery and colonialism, and different narratives that put an end to them.

Understanding narratives

Human evolution is fantastically reflected in the development of each child. At birth, a child is a mere spectator as the world swirls around it. The ability to interact, to communicate, to understand symbols and language is the gatekeeper of every child’s foray into the meaningful and purposeful world around us and one that allows the child to be a meaningful participant. The stories that a child hears — or sees — help him or her develop an understanding of the world. This understanding shapes their behaviour. The way the world responds to these actions give rise to prejudices and attitudes. When these experiences are significant, they are stored as memories. A child’s response to every situation it faces  is, then, a culmination of its memories, beliefs, and attitudes.  

The first story a child hears is perhaps, “Daddy will be home soon!”, and this establishes the concept of time. Other common examples of how stories are developed include when a child is told:

Dr Samir H Dalwai

“If you are a good baby (meaning if you do this particular thing), daddy will give you a hug or a treat or a toy!” This establishes delayed gratification rules. 

“If you let mamma finish her chores, you will get a good meal!” This teaches delayed gratification. 

“Here is a cat; a cat says meow!” The personification of toys is nothing but storytelling, and the ability to believe the story is the basis for learning. Stories trigger imagination, which gives the child ability to believe in things, incidents, people he has and will perhaps never meet in real life. 

Stories are not just a form of entertainment; they are essential for cognitive, emotional, and social development. Neuroscience confirms that storytelling stimulates multiple regions of the brain, forming neural pathways crucial for language, comprehension, and imagination.

As a developmental behavioural paediatrician, I have seen first hand how narratives engage young minds, fostering creativity and emotional intelligence. The New Horizons Theory of Social Engagement for Autism emphasises the role of structured interactions in child development. Storytelling is one of the most natural and effective ways to encourage engagement, social bonding, and emotional regulation in children.

How stories shape the developing brain

Research shows that listening to and telling stories activate brain areas linked to language processing, sensory experiences, and empathy. A 2018 study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that hearing a well-told story synchronises brain activity between the storyteller and listener, fostering a shared emotional and cognitive experience.

The science behind ‘once upon a time’

Brain scans reveal that when children listen to a well-structured story, not only do the language centres of the brain light up, the sensory cortex does too. If the story describes a sweet aroma, for instance, the brain’s olfactory regions activate. This immersive effect is why children “feel” stories and develop a deep emotional connection with them.

In classrooms and at home, interactive storytelling — where children participate by predicting endings, asking questions, or acting out characters — significantly boosts engagement and social reciprocity.

Stories are more than words; they shape the brain, connect people, and foster lifelong learning. Parents, educators, and caregivers should integrate storytelling into daily routines — not just for entertainment, but as a tool to enrich a child’s social, emotional and linguistic development.  

Dr Samir H Dalwai is a Developmental Behavioural Paediatrician