Once Upon a Time: How Jewish Children's Stories Impact Moral Development

Abstract

Research studies demonstrate the efficacy of the story-sharing experience on children's moral development. This article explores how the triadic relationship between a Jewish children's story, the child, and the parent storyteller can impact the youngster's moral growth. Using examples from two leading projects in Jewish children's stories, the article examines how four key Jewish value concepts can be employed as a means to enhancing children's moral development. In addition, I propose a table of learning that provides adult storytellers with guidelines on how to engage children in moral conversations about relevant issues that surface from the stories.