“Sick children, if not too shy to speak, will always express this wish. They invariably prefer a story to be told to them, rather than read to them.”
- May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910
- Born in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Italy)
- Nurse, statistician
- Established modern nursing, promoted sanitary reform through her work in the Crimean War, and wrote “Notes on Nursing”
Quote
“Sick children, if not too shy to speak, will always express this wish. They invariably prefer a story to be told to them, rather than read to them.”
Explanation
In this quote, Florence Nightingale highlights the importance of storytelling as a means of providing comfort and emotional support to sick children. Nightingale, who was deeply involved in nursing and caring for patients during her time, recognized that children in particular may be more comforted by a personal, interactive experience than a passive one. Her observation underscores the therapeutic value of human connection—something that is achieved when stories are told aloud rather than merely read. Telling a story involves a level of engagement and emotion that reading, by itself, may lack.
Nightingale’s insight can be seen as part of her broader understanding of holistic care, where the emotional and psychological well-being of patients, especially vulnerable ones like children, was considered as important as their physical health. In a hospital setting, where patients might feel frightened, isolated, or overwhelmed, the act of hearing a story told by a compassionate individual could offer a sense of security and comfort. Nightingale herself used her position to advocate for the overall care of the patient, not just their physical needs, emphasizing the importance of emotional support and communication in healthcare.
This insight still holds relevance today in pediatric care, where therapeutic storytelling is used as a method to help children cope with illness or hospitalization. Pediatric nurses and doctors often use narratives, play, and visual aids to help children understand and process their experiences. Furthermore, research into the benefits of storytelling in mental health has shown that it can be a powerful tool in helping children express their fears, build resilience, and foster a sense of connection with others. Nightingale’s understanding of the therapeutic power of storytelling continues to inform modern practices in child healthcare and emotional development.
