World Storytelling Day is in March, but that doesn’t mean that stories should only be told one day a year. …It means that storytelling is so important that it has its very own holiday!
It means that storytelling is so important that one day of the year we’re going to shout it out: Storytelling Rocks!
And last, but not least, it means that storytelling is so important for your kids, that we’re celebrating it one day of the year to remind you how awesome and magical storytelling really can be every day of the year.
Some of our storytelling ideas below require a little bit of preparation, and some only require your phone or mobile device. Either way, we’re sure you’ll find something that works for and excites you and your children.
Here are five cool ways to get your kids telling stories:
1. Pass the Mic: You don’t really need a microphone, but if you have one, great -- use it! If not, use a hairbrush, a marker, a spoon -- anything can double as a microphone if you use your imagination. Just start speaking into the “mic” and when you’re ready to pass it, hand the mic to the child next to you, and have her continue the story. Sometimes all we need is to feel like people are listening, and then the ideas start flowing and confidence grows.
2. Story Starters: Check out Scholastic’s Story Starters for really easy ideas to get your kids’ creativity flowing. You can use Story Starters to generate a handful of ideas, and then pull those ideas out when you’re spending time together as a family -- in the car, at the dinner table, or on the sidelines of soccer practice.
3. Secret Bag: Place a few random and unusual items in a reusable bag or shipping box. Just one or more of these can be a really fun jumping off point for your kid to conjure up an entertaining tale. You can include items like:
- A tennis shoe
- A baseball
- An umbrella
- A rock
- A small stuffed toy
- A spatula
- A dollar bill
- A whistle
- And anything else you think is cool or interesting
4. Photo Flip: Open up the photos on your phone and let your child flip through them with his eyes closed. Whichever photo he lands on is the basis for a story! He can create totally new characters, settings, and conflicts or expand upon what’s happening in the photo.
5. Two Minute Video Bonanza: Take turns carefully picking a video from your phone or computer and use it as the basis of a story. Play a short clip of video and then stop it in the middle. Your storyteller then creates her own creative version of what happens next!
Every day of the year is a great day to get kids talking and telling stories because it not only gets kids using their imagination, but it helps develop important oral language skills. Remember friends, stories don’t require deep, complex plots or characters. All they need is a beginning, middle, and end. Make sure your children know that, and enjoy the magical ride of storytelling!
How do you get your kids to tell stories? Do you tell stories? We’d love to hear it! Share your ideas on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page, or find Amy on twitter, @teachmama, and let’s continue the conversation!
Read all posts by Amy Mascott
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Check out bloggers Amy Mascott and Allie McDonald's book, Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love for Reading. Get expert advice and learn new strategies for your young readers
