An exploratory study of mother-child storytelling in East India and Northeast United States

• DOI: 10.1075/ni.14.2.09har
• Publication Date: 2014-02-27T11:20:54Z
• Authors: Debra A. Harkins; Sukanya Ray
• Keywords: Enculturation

This study examined cultural variations in parental goals of storytelling and story constructions to with young children. Sixty-five (34 East India; 36 USA) mothers their four-to-five year old children were audio taped as they read a non-worded picture storybook. India told longer stories that included more evaluative comments responses child's questions than US mothers. Content evaluation character action reflected themes collectivism individualism USA. Enculturation through is discussed. ( Mother-Child Storytelling, Individualism, Collectivism, Narrative )