power of stories

We’ve all heard of fairy tales, which are not always about fairies, but instead of reading about these adventures, how about telling fairy stories? This activity can be done inside, or outside, like we did on a forest and garden tour. Once upon a fairy…

Did you know that making up stories with your child is a super learning activity as well as lots of fun? Once upon a time there was a fairy who lived in a house in the forest…

As adults, we take the basic structure of a story for granted but children are only beginning to understand that stories have a beginning, middle and end sequence. Some of them have dialogue. Stories are usually built around one event or idea. When you tell your child a story you will use this same structure even if you are not aware of doing so. As with so many things, kids need to experience this same pattern over and over before it gets recorded into their thinking strategies.

Telling stories instead of reading them gives kids a chance to make the pictures in their own heads instead of putting the book’s pictures in their minds. This is called visualizing. Creating pictures also exercises their imaginations, plus they link words and images using context and language. You model for your little one how to think on one’s feet and build on resources that are immediately available.

These are just a few of the ways that telling stories promotes development and early learning. As parent or caregiver you have extensive knowledge of what interests your child. You can start with a level and things that are familiar and expand them.

Your stories can be about fairies, faeries, trolls, elves, gnomes, sprites, imps, leprechauns, pixies, or other mythical creatures. Sometimes, kids will make up their own beings. Grimm’s Fairy Tales are over 200 years old. These stories come from ones told orally for hundreds of years before that. Stories and the story-telling tradition link us to the past and people all around the world. That’s the magic and power of fairy dust. Could telling fairy stories be part of your child’s play today?

Did you know that the human brain is hard-wired for stories? (University of California, Dr. George Lakoff) Last week, when tucking in Little Sister, she asked for a book. When I went to the shelf to choose one, she said no, she wanted a book just in my mouth. It took some thinking, but I realized she wanted me to tell her a story, not read one. That’s the inspiration for this play-of-the-day.

Because a story can make a concept come to life, it’s easier to connect to and understand. The power of our imagination comes into play, helping us learn and remember. Kids and adults alike stretch their thinking when listening to and following along a story.

Here’s a simple story for kids that starts with some humor:

Knock, knock. Who’s there?
Apple. Apple who?
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
Apple. Apple who?
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
Orange. Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn’t say apple!

An orange and an apple can be the main characters in this “book-in-your-mouth.”You can start the story with Once upon a time…or however you choose. Maybe some dialogue: “Hello, Apple.” “Hello, Orange.” “The most exciting adventure happened to me, today.” “Ooh, tell me about it.” “It all started when I rolled off the table and into a bag of books!” After that, kids might want to add their ideas to the story, or they may have a completely different suggestion.

As adults, we take the basic structure of a story for granted but children are only beginning to understand that stories have a beginning, middle and end. Many have dialogue and usually one main event or idea. This same pattern will help kids when they start to learn to read.

Telling stories instead of reading them gives kids a chance to make the pictures in their own heads rather than relying on the book to supply them. This is called visualizing. As we tell a story, we model how to think on one’s feet and use available resources. Language and emotions also come into play.

What kind of story adventures can you and your child have today? Will you roll off the table?

Telling Fairy Stories – Fairy and Elf Activities #11 for Boys and Girls

Telling Stories with Kids: Once Upon An Apple