Storytelling for Your Child
How to Strengthen Imagination and Encourage Learning
Everyone likes a good story, and your child will love the silly, personal and fun stories you create for her. And creation can be fun . . .
We are all born with the ability to tell stories, to pass on histories, religions, lessons, even recipes and medicines. Children will remember stories their parents told them long after television shows they watched or books they read. In telling stories to your child you give them a bit of yourself, you reveal your own imagination, your own dreams. And that to a child is worth so much more than anything else. If you are looking for inspiration there are Storytelling workshops and courses around the world.
The Magic of Story
Something magical happens between an adult and a child when a story is shared: an intimate space is created between the two where the child co-creates the story through her active listening, her reactions, her expressions. When reading a book the focus and attention is on something outside human interaction – both reader and listener are experiencing something other than each other. In storytelling there is eye contact and a bond created through shared imagination. Stories need not be complex, especially for younger children the simplest story can be told over and over.
Personal Stories
In days past, the wisdom, myth and history of a people would be passed down through stories. In much the same way children love to hear stories about their cherished adults as youngsters. Even the most ordinary event can become near lore in the ears, eyes and heart of a child. Think for a moment about your own childhood, what funny or silly or exciting things happened to you? Your child will learn a great deal from re-living your experience with you.
Everything has a Story
Look around you, what do you see? Stories are everywhere just waiting to be found. There’s a plant in the room – where did it come from, how did it grow, is it native or did its parent plant come from a far away country, and what did it see in that far away place?
There’s a photograph in the room – what is it, a person? And what is the story, who is it, where was it taken, what was happening at the time? Or is it a place or a thing – what, where, when all are great questions for pulling stories from objects or spaces. If you are in your child’s room creating stories around toys can be great fun.
Stories as Lessons
There is a great power in story. Events of the day can be made sense of in an evening story. Children love to hear stories about themselves or other children. Say for example your child had a difficult day. In the evening you might tell a story about another child who had a very difficult day with all sorts of troubles and mishaps. Your child will see a connection and feel that things happen to everyone and also supported and secure because you know all about such matters and are able to talk about them. Likewise telling your child stories where parent and child resolve differences or have great adventures can be very warming and comforting.
The Child as Storyteller
Children who’s parents or caregivers tell stories are more able to tell stories themselves, and are more expressive generally of their own feelings, needs and experiences. Stories strengthen imagination, awareness and self esteem as they often put the child in the position of co-creator. Encourage your child to tell their own stories, you will be surprised by what they have to share.
