Storytelling is among the oldest forms of communication. It is in every culture and is the commonality of all human beings. It is the conveyer and keeper of knowledge, fantasy, genealogy, history, wit, science and art. Storytelling is a vehicle for discovering who we are, for enhancing our learning and teaching, for making sense of our world, and for plain old fun!
STORYTELLNG . . .
Allows instructions to be provided directly.
Prompts questions and conversations.
Helps make learning fun.
Enhances imagination and visualization.
Develops an appreciation of the beauty and rhythm of language.
Increases language skills; vocabulary, comprehension, sequencing, and recall.
Improves self-esteem while enhancing public speaking skills.
Hones listening skills.
Assists with youth and adult interaction on a personal level.
Expands writing, reading and critical/creative thinking skills.
Shows youth the importance of literature as a mirror of human experience.
Supports youth in their discovery and understanding of their own and other’s cultural heritages.
A storytelling theme at the school-age center provides lots of programming opportunities. Let’s look at some ideas for a Storytelling Theme Month. During your planning time with the youth, find out what types of interests they have regarding storytelling. Have them help in deciding what types of activities they will do during the activity time. On the day the Storytelling Theme starts, youth should come into environments that are rich in stories, storytelling and literature. Don’t forget to have the school-age youth assist you in enhancing the environments. Here are some suggestions for adding storytelling to various environments.
Reading Area
In the reading area, have autobiographies, biographies, storybooks, fairy tales, legends, and books on the storytelling process itself. As the theme time continues, youth could decorate the walls with their stories and story pictures.
Table Games Area
In the quiet game area, have copies of games such as LifeStories and FutureStories out ready to be played. See if any of the youth would like to create their own storytelling games. Have them write the rules of the game and teach you and the other youth how to play.
Dramatic Arts Area
In the dramatic arts area, have plenty of costumes, props and scenery pieces so that youth can act out their stories that they will write.
You could also set up the dramatic arts area with items that are found in favorite fairy tales and give the youth an opportunity to act out the story. Another variation would be to act out the story from a different character’s point of view. For example, some youth may want to play out the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but from the point of view of the giant. Stories and creative drama are natural partners.
Music/Listening Area
In the music and listening area, have stories available on tape. You can order professional storytelling tapes from the National Storytelling Association (see the address at the end of this article). As an activity, ask the youth to read or tell their stories while you record them. Have these tapes available for listening.
Cooking Area
In the cooking area, have a space where youth can bring in their family’s favorite recipes and if possible, try preparing some of the recipes. Have some types of food that are found in storybooks and try making them. What is a corn pone anyway?
Computer Lab
In the computer lab, you have a wonderful tool at your disposal. It is called Storybook Weaver Deluxe. This software curriculum develops communication skills in youth while they explore the world of story creation. The software is very user-friendly and allows the youth to either write their own story, finish a story that has been started or read a story that has already been written.
A fun activity to do with Storybook Weaver Deluxe is to write your personal life story. With a color printer in the computer lab, youth can print out copies of their stories to share during read aloud times or to bind into personal books.
In creating personal books, youth will learn about the power of written communication. When they read their books or stories aloud, they will learn about the power of words and how the use of their voices affects what they are trying to communicate. In writing and creating their stories, they will learn the importance of word choices to convey meaning and intent.
Arts and Crafts Area
Take the printed books to the arts and crafts area for binding and decoration. How about a collage as a cover for a book? You could also utilize the arts and crafts area as an illustrator’s corner. Decorate with posters of children’s literature art work. Have youth create illustrations for their books in a variety of artistic mediums (paint, charcoal, pastels, ect.).
Others
What other environments can be adapted to the storytelling theme? Let your imagination and the imaginations of the youth run wild. Your storytelling theme time can include activities such as a field trip to hear a local storyteller or invite a storyteller to your center. At parent night, have a story swap where staff, youth and parents take turns telling stories.
The length of your Storytelling Theme is up to you and the youth. It can be as simple or as complex as you want. It is completely up to you and the youth.
I hope these ideas will start you thinking of your own ways to use storytelling as a communication tool. There are many resources available on storytelling. For a catalogue of storytelling materials, contact the National Storytelling Association, P.O. Box 309, Jonesboro, TN. 37659. Or you may call at 423-753-2171
Storytelling, where the words, Once upon a time. . .can take you anywhere.