The Power of Storytelling for Emotional Growth in Children

Michael R Kiel
Jul 7
4 min read

4 Animal friends reading a story together — Sometimes, the bravest journeys begin in the quietest moments. That's the magic of reading together.

Most children love an engaging story. But did you know that a quality story can also help kids regulate their emotions? Whether it's a bedtime tale, a classroom read-along, or a classic character's journey, storytelling helps kids make sense of their feelings. They learn to respond to life's challenges in healthy ways.

Research shows that storytelling can reduce mental health concerns in children. It helps battle anxiety and depression by increasing resilience and emotional flexibility (Mental Health Center Kids, 2023). One study found that structured storytelling helped young children better understand their emotions and temperament (Bryan & Smith, 2024).

Why Stories Help Kids Understand Their Emotions

Finn and Delaney are feeling the emotions from the character in the story. — Finn and Delaney recognize and relate to the emotion in the story.

Big emotions can be confusing for kids. Stories provide a way to experience those feelings from a safe distance. When a character struggles with fear, frustration, or sadness, children begin to recognize similar feelings in themselves. They do this without becoming overwhelmed.

This process, called externalization, offers kids a chance to explore feelings safely. When children put words to their emotions, it's known as affect labeling. This technique has been shown to decrease emotional intensity and support self-regulation (Lieberman et al., 2007).

Using Stories to Teach Mindfulness

While Micah and Finn explore their thoughts, Delaney is taking a moment to be mindful of her surroundings. — While Micah and Finn take notes on the story, Delaney is seizing the moment to feel the grass beneath her feet.

Mindfulness is about fully noticing our present moment. Through storytelling, children learn to focus their attention. They observe emotions and engage their senses while following along with a character's journey.

Cognitive science research shows that mindful attention increases when a child is deeply engaged in a story (Green & Brock, 2000). This engagement creates space for kids to notice what’s happening now—both in the story and within themselves.

Helping Kids "Unstick" from Thoughts with Storytelling

Finn and Delaney are practicing the Defusion skill of light leaf and heavy rock thoughts. — Finn and Delaney are using the Heavy Rock Thought and the Light Leaf/Balloon Thought defusion technique to make space for the emotions from the story.

Some thoughts feel impossible to get rid of, like sticky gum on a shoe. But when kids see lovable characters getting stuck in their thinking, they learn that thoughts are just thoughts—not facts.

This technique, known as cognitive defusion, is key in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Stories can demonstrate this technique by showing a character stepping back from their thoughts and finding helpful actions even while unpleasant thoughts linger (Hayes et al., 1999).

Interactive Storytelling: Bringing Emotional Regulation to Life

Finn, Delaney, and Micah are role-playing the characters' actions and feelings. — Finn, Delaney, and Micah are all taking turns imagining themselves in the story.

Stories aren’t meant to be passive. Kids often learn best when they actively participate! Whether it's acting out a scene or answering "What happens next?" questions, interactive storytelling fosters emotional regulation in real-time.

Research in educational psychology shows that interactive learning boosts retention of details, emotional awareness, and problem-solving skills (Pino-Pasternak et al., 2014). When kids play with stories, they build their emotional muscles.

The Role of Storytelling in Emotional Regulation

During storytime, children can reflect on their own feelings and experiences. This is crucial. The connection formed between the story characters and children can lead to valuable emotional insights.

When children relate to a character overcoming challenges, they gain courage. They learn that it’s okay to feel afraid or sad. This understanding helps them face their emotions in the real world.

Moreover, discussions around the stories can serve as a bridge. Parents and caregivers can help kids articulate their feelings. Open conversations about story characters provide a safe space for children to express their own emotional experiences.

Conclusion: Turning Stories into Emotional Growth

All three friends are fully engaged with embracing the story's emotions, actions, and growing themselves. — Watch as your kids turn imaginative story play into emotional growth that lasts for years to come.

The best stories don’t just entertain—they help kids grow. By using storytelling as a tool for emotional regulation, we provide children a powerful way to explore their thoughts and feelings safely.

Earlier on our Instagram feed, we explored how stories support emotional development. Here’s a summary of those insights:

Naming a character's feelings can help calm a child's nervous system.
Noticing what’s happening in a story builds attention and presence.
"Sticky thoughts" can feel lighter when children see them reflected in a character's journey.
Acting out stories at home makes emotional skills feel natural, playful, and shared.

Across many books and stories, these moments cultivate a powerful habit for children:

Pause. Notice. Feel. Reflect. Then, act.

This readying to absorb and engage is the first step toward mindful practice. It shows how storytime can contribute to emotional growth, one small page at a time.

Continue Your Journey With Your Child

Would you like to try these strategies with your child?

Begin with a free mini-story activity designed to teach calming skills through gentle, story-driven choices.

Download What Should Finn Do? - A Mini Story for Calming Big Feelings

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive an exclusive, longer parent story-driven resource delivered straight to your inbox next week on June 14th.

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Or grab the complete story-driven activity bundle coming soon to the Acceptance Acres store!

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References & Suggested Reading

Bryan, C., & Smith, A. (2024). Narrative practices and self-awareness in early childhood. Journal of Moral Education, 53(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2024.2403992
Green, M. C., & Brock, T. C. (2000). The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 701–721.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. Guilford Press.
Lieberman, M. D., et al. (2007). Putting feelings into words: Affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychological Science, 18(5), 421–428.
Mental Health Center Kids. (2023). Research on storytelling and resilience in children. https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/research-on-storytelling-and-resilience-in-children.
Pino-Pasternak, D., Whitebread, D., & Neale, D. (2018). The role of regulatory, social, and dialogic dynamics on young children's productive collaboration in group problem solving. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2018(162), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20262