Do you tell family stories around the dinner table? You should!
In an article for the Wall Street Journal, Sue Shellenbarger says research shows those story telling moments have psychological benefits.
The best stories are funny or entertaining and often convey life lessons. They teach children — ‘I belong here. I’m part of these stories.’ They provide not just a script for life, but a set of values and guideposts.”
More than 90% of teenagers and young adults can retell family stories when asked, even if they seemed uninterested when the stories were told, according to a 2018 study. And the youngsters valued the stories for their lessons and insights.
Family stories told face-to-face have advantages over social media. Rather than the story fragments and fixed images displayed on most apps, children’s interpretations of family stories can evolve and take on new meaning as they mature.
Intergenerational stories anchor youngsters as part of a larger group, helping them develop a sense of identity. Researchers at Emory quizzed 40 youngsters ages 10 to 14 on 20 family-history questions, such as how their parents met or where their grandparents grew up. Those who answered more questions correctly showed, on separate assessments, less anxiety and fewer behavior problems.
Sharing stories around the table for Thanksgiving later this month or when families get together for the holidays may be a good place for your family to start.