We're excited to share that Kate Markland recently presented her work at the British Psychological Society's Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) Conference, showcasing her approach to helping children build resilience through storytelling.

Her poster, titled "From Adversity to Agency: Storytelling as a Tool for Building Children's Resilience," highlighted how narrative creation empowers children to process experiences, regulate emotions, and develop a sense of control over their own lives.

The British Psychological Society's DECP Conference brings together educational psychologists, researchers, and practitioners from across the UK to share evidence-based approaches to supporting children's wellbeing and learning.

Why Storytelling Matters in Educational Psychology

When children create their own stories, they begin to see themselves as capable of envisioning positive outcomes, tackling challenges, and growing through adversity.

Storytelling gives them a structured yet imaginative space to:

🔹 Engage with complex feelings from a safe distance
🔹 Build emotional regulation and resilience
🔹 Develop a positive self-perception

As Kate shared at the conference, personal narratives allow children to move from feeling like passive recipients of their circumstances to active participants in their own journey, a fundamental shift that underpins long-term resilience.

Practical Storytelling Strategies

One of the standout messages from Kate's presentation was that you don't need to be a therapist to implement storytelling techniques in education or care settings.

Her poster offered simple, powerful methods for embedding storytelling into everyday practice:

Narrative Principles
Encourage children to view themselves as the authors of their own lives.

Storybooks with Resilience Themes
Use metaphor and character journeys to help children reflect and process safely.

Oral Story Time & Reflective Discussions
Regular storytelling moments followed by guided conversations to explore emotions and meaning.

Creative Narrative Journals
Let children write or draw freely, focusing on imagination and self-expression.

Modelling Positive Storytelling
Adults sharing their own stories of growth and problem-solving as examples of resilience.

These tools help children organize their thoughts, develop empathy, and find meaning—even in moments of challenge.

Case Study: The Adventures of Gabriel

Kate's presentation spotlighted her collaborative project with her son, Gabriel, the co-author of The Adventures of Gabriel.

During a period of physical separation, Gabriel and Kate maintained their bond by co-creating a magical world where characters overcame fear and uncertainty with resilience, creativity, and collaboration.

This process was more than just co-writing a book—it was empowering and deeply connecting. Gabriel's voice was heard, honored, and celebrated. And now, his story is inspiring children across the UK and beyond to tell their own.

Key Takeaways

✅ Storytelling offers a developmentally appropriate tool that complements other support approaches, helping children process emotions through creative expression

✅ Personal narratives build emotional resilience, enhance autonomy, and support mental wellbeing

✅ Storytelling is a universal tool that can be easily adapted for use in schools, homes, and healthcare settings

Learn More About Kate's Work

For schools interested in implementing storytelling approaches:
my-storyquest.com

Explore the books that demonstrate this methodology:
theadventuresofgabriel.com

Book Kate to present at your conference or professional development event:
katemarkland.com/speaking

Building resilience through story—one child, one narrative at a time.