Storytelling as Social-Emotional Learning with WriteStories

Parents and teachers alike are paying more attention to the role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in children’s development. Skills like empathy, perspective-taking, and self-expression are just as important as academic knowledge. Surprisingly, one of the most effective tools for fostering these skills may be creative storytelling—and that’s exactly what WriteStories is built to encourage.

Research from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) shows that SEL interventions can boost student achievement and improve classroom climate. With WriteStories, children look at a sequence of illustrations and interpret what might be happening in the characters’ lives. As they write, they are not just practicing language skills but also exploring emotions, relationships, and decision-making.

For example, a picture of a mouse moving to a new town may spark a child to write about loneliness, courage, or friendship. This kind of storytelling helps children process their own feelings while also building empathy for others’ experiences. Teachers can guide discussions around the stories, turning individual writing into group reflection about problem-solving and compassion.

Families can also use WriteStories as a tool for connection. Parents reading their child’s written stories gain unique insights into their thoughts and feelings, often sparking conversations that might not arise otherwise. This creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue while reinforcing that writing is a powerful form of self-expression.

In a world where emotional resilience is increasingly critical, WriteStories supports both literacy and life skills. It nurtures a generation of storytellers who not only know how to write but also how to understand themselves and others.