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Lets Tell a Story

Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

3/31/2015

There are many ways to tell a story, books, felt board, tapes, puppets, dance and dramatic play. When we let the children tell the story you never know what will happen. This has the possibility of true creativity and imagination. Here is one example and a fun way to engage with children in storytelling.

Materials needed: 
A round circle of shiny blue material, A large square piece of brown or green cloth, 5 or 6 animals, 4 or 5 little people, some small trees, fence pieces, maybe a couple of small houses.

How to play:

• Gather children into a small circle (works best with no more than 5-7 children). Without speaking set out the brown square and carefully push out the wrinkles. 
  
• Ask the children, “What could this be?” You may get many suggestions.
  
• Set out the blue circle on the brown square. “What could this be?”
  
• Continue to bring out pieces and place them on the brown or blue square. As you place a piece on the material ask the children what it might do, where it might go, what it might say, etc.
  
• Once all the pieces are out begin asking the children what these pieces are doing. Such as “What will this lamb do?” You can move the pieces yourself, or let the children move them. Continue as the children create their own story. 
  
• After the story is completed, place the pieces in a basket and put it in a quiet place with space enough room for them to set out the material pieces. Watch to see as the children set out this activity to create their own stories. If you can, go and sit with the children as they use this activity, but do not give direction or ideas. Let the children tell you their story in their own way.
  

Extension activity: 
In the art area set out brown or green construction paper, small blue circles, glue sticks and something to color with: markers, crayons, or pencils. Do not tell the children that it is in relation to the story they just created together, just let them discover it on their own. This activity enhances working memory, literacy, creativity and problem solving. Because there are no directions or expectations it would be considered an open ended art activity. 

Remember to write down their stories as they create then on a 5x7 card. Attach the card to the back of their picture. Or if you display their work place it next to the picture on the bulletin board. If you want to take it one step further, take pictures of the children playing with the story materials and put up the pictures next to their art project.