There are two questions people have asked me of late. Number one: Who is my core audience; and number two: Why am I giving so much of my life’s energy to storytelling. This is my response.

I love engaging pre-school children in participation stories, and I love the emotional connection I get when telling to adults. Leading storytelling workshops and teaching others about my storytelling aprons is also quite a kick! But my heart really belongs to the lower primary grades: kindergarten through fifth grade. The very essence of who a child will grow up to be is seeded in those years. Early elementary students are learning the basics of life. They learn about peers, values, hopes, and dreams. Their personal character traits are solidified during these formative years, as young people grow more confident in their interactions within their families, schools, communities and yes, even the world. Because these years are so critical to a child’s development, I love working with early elementary students, using storytelling to help develop character and confidence. All culture groups tell stories to help children “see” their world, understand the need for endurance, develop a sense of community, share ideas, and strengthen the ties between children and their elders. Watching children’s imaginations soar through creative language, art, and their own storytelling, confirms that I am spending my energy wisely.