Storytelling

Is this anything that’s ever happened before? Your youngster says, “I’m bored!” when books, toys, songs, food, and electronic games no longer hold their interest. What are your options? Storytelling!

Inquiring whether or not someone would be interested in hearing about anything could work.

You’ve Got a Story to Tell.

Even if you think you don’t, you have a lot to say. You don’t have to come up with them all at once. Personal anecdotes, such as those from your youth or from books you’ve read, can serve as excellent springboards for discussion. It’s also a favorite pastime for children to hear stories about themselves and their own experiences. For instance, tell a narrative about a vacation you took with your child to the zoo or Grandma’s place.

Telling Stories to Young Children

Young children like hearing about their family’s history. When was the first time you lost a tooth that you can remember? My favorite teacher was… Their creativity may be sparked if they remember you as a kid. Your great-attic grandmother’s ghost story may be something you’d like to tell others. 

There’s nothing better than hearing about a moment when a parent made a dumb mistake. A story that has a personal connection to a child’s life is engaging for them. Children as young as three years old appreciate hearing stories based on their favorite picture books. 

Do not worry about the plot as you take a walk with Little Chick in the barn or take Firefighter Bob on a thrilling ride across the city. The chance to share a chick’s peep or a siren’s screech is always a hit with the little ones.

Telling Tales to Older Children

Take a well-known narrative and reimagine it in a new environment, with new characters or a new plot twist for older youngsters. Get rid of the big-striped tabby cat by sending him to the moon on a spaceship or bringing him to your neighborhood and causing havoc. 

Make your child the star of a fun adventure tailored to their specific interests and needs (for example, traveling back to see dinosaurs or working as a train conductor).

Take Your Story to the Next Level

Extend the scope of the narrative. Make a book together with your child based on the story. Identify persons and places in your life that you may depict in photographs or magazine images.

Children might recount the narrative in their own words or record it. If there are no photographs to work with, create your own. Act out the well-known tale using puppets or costumes, and involve the entire family in fun. There is no end to the possibilities!

Involve your youngster in the narrative process as early as possible! Encourage children to tell their own stories after exposing them to various storytelling methods. A child’s ability to form ideas and say to a tale is critical to their development. You’ll develop good communication, organization, and creativity in this way.

By telling stories, you demonstrate how to combine words into meaningful sentences. When you tell your kids something unique or exciting about yourself, it might be a starting point for more conversation and inquiry. Most importantly, you instill a lifelong love of reading and writing in your children.

When you’re ready, begin by saying, “Once upon a time….”

Meaningful articles you might like: Children’s Storytime, Creating A Reading-Friendly Environment, Have Fun In The Rain