Two generations settle down first thing for some storytelling at the Cambridge Main Library opening in October 2009. (Photo: Marc Levy)

Cambridge has plenty of storytelling in its standup comedy and poetry slams, and next month alone brings two major storytelling events — a Mortified night at Oberon and a May 19 one-man show by Ken Reid (twice certified Boston’s best comedian by the Boston Phoenix) at the Central Square YMCA — but telling stories to your kids is a whole different thing.

The Cambridge Community Center has a special storytelling presentation for parents planned for 6 p.m. Monday covering why storytelling is important for children’s brain growth, how listening to stories helps children learn and the connection between family stories and fun.

Storytelling is “an excellent tool for helping children meet the challenges of everyday living,” Caron B. Goode wrote in a 2006 post appearing on a local momsnetwork.com page. “Stories offer them a safe place to explore and identify their emotions … once exposed to how a storybook character masters a difficult situation, children are often inspired to tackle their own problems.”

The center is at 5 Callendar St. in the Riverside area, below Central Square. For information, call Pam at (617) 233-4794 or the center at (617) 547-6811.