Narratives in diverse forms are strong forces in children’s lives.
Children learn concepts and phrases closely connected to stories,
consider moral dilemmas, and tell stories of their daily lives and
significant events; they dance, play, dramatize, and develop fantasy
worlds through stories while processing information and developing new
skills. They learn, grow, and think through stories with other children,
adults, and individually. Stories can exert positive and powerful
influences in all contexts of children’s lives. This chapter explores
what counts as story and the forms that narratives may take. We assert
that stories are powerful and protective agents for children. At their
best and fullest, stories create meaningful sites for supporting the
whole child.