Which aspect of a child's development does storytelling primarily target?

Storytelling primarily targets emotional development in children by helping them understand and express their feelings and those of others. Engaging with stories allows young learners to navigate a variety of emotions, as they can relate to characters and their experiences. This interaction fosters empathy, as children learn to recognize different emotional states, understand the motivations behind these emotions, and relate these lessons to their own lives.

Moreover, storytelling encourages children to articulate their feelings in response to the narratives they hear, which plays a vital role in their emotional intelligence. While storytelling may also support other areas of development—such as cognitive skills through comprehension and critical thinking, or creative development through imagination—the primary focus remains on fostering emotional awareness and expression. This makes the connection between storytelling and emotional development particularly significant in an early childhood education context.