This is Your Brain on Fairytales: Storytelling, Neuroscience, and Connecting the Dots in Early Childhood by Stephanie Goloway

As we zoom toward the middle of the 21st century, the ancient art of storytelling may seem quaint and outmoded. But in fact, cutting-edge neuroscience tells a different tale.

In this webinar, you’ll learn what goes on inside the brain as children hear stories of dragons and giants, and the brave people who tame them. Using familiar story arcs to guide us, we’ll explore how neurotransmitters like dopamine, cortisol, testosterone, endorphins, and oxytocin magically transform fanciful tales into powerhouses for developing social-emotional and literacy skills in every child.

We’ll examine the science behind oral storytelling’s strength in supporting skills such as self-regulation, empathy, and resilience, and delve into research suggesting that storytelling is a missing element in many current literacy strategies.

But fear not! You don’t need to be a neuroscientist—or an actor!—to understand how to use the information presented in this interactive and engaging webinar with the young children in your care. By the end of the session, you’ll be trip-trapping your way toward classroom-ready methods that weave together the latest brain research with age-old storytelling techniques, all designed to delight and nurture the minds and imaginations of every child.

By the end of this 65-minute session, participants will be able to:

1. List at least three neurotransmitters that are activated in children during oral storytelling.

2. Describe how neurotransmitters released during storytelling can contribute to the development of self-regulation, literacy, and resilience.

3. Apply basic neuroscience principles to design a storytelling experience that supports at least two developmental areas, such as self-regulation, perspective-taking, or literacy.