Summary of Ramamurthy et al. (2023)

Background & Existing Knowledge

Storytelling is a universally comprehensible and effective communication tool that transcends linguistic barriers and adapts easily to diverse cultures. It is known to strongly influence children, promoting knowledge retention, imagination, creativity, and prosocial behaviors. However, the specific impact of storytelling interventions on the development of resilience in children needed further systematic investigation.

New Insights from This Study

✔ This systematic review offers essential insights into the effects of storytelling interventions on building resilience in children.

✔ It identifies various forms of storytelling interventions implemented across different studies.

✔ The review highlights the specific measures of resilience employed in the studies, providing a comprehensive overview of existing research.

Practical Applications: How Educators Can Use This Research

Course Design

📌 Develop and implement storytelling programs specifically designed to foster resilience skills (e.g., coping mechanisms, problem-solving).

📌 Integrate narratives that feature characters overcoming adversity and demonstrating positive coping strategies.

📌 Design interactive storytelling activities that allow children to explore and practice resilient behaviors in a safe context.

Evaluation Tools

📌 Utilize validated measures of resilience to assess the impact of storytelling interventions on children's emotional and psychological well-being.

📌 Collect qualitative data through interviews or discussions to understand children's perceptions of the stories and their application to real-life challenges.

📌 Track behavioral changes indicative of increased resilience, such as improved emotional regulation or adaptive responses to stress.

Instructional Support

📌 Train educators, counselors, and caregivers on how to effectively use storytelling as a therapeutic and developmental tool.

📌 Provide access to a curated collection of stories known to promote resilience, along with guidelines for their application.

📌 Encourage collaborative storytelling where children contribute to narratives that address personal or collective challenges, fostering a sense of agency.

Conclusion

This systematic review confirms that storytelling interventions are a valuable and effective means of fostering resilience in children, providing a clear pathway for their practical application in various educational and support settings.

Key Words

Storytelling, Resilience, Children, Intervention, Systematic review

Reference

Ramamurthy, C., Zuo, P., Armstrong, G., & Andriessen, K. (2023). The impact of storytelling on building resilience in children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.13008

Suggested Citation

Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Storytelling and Child Resilience. Excellent Educator, 2(15), 4.