Storytelling Starters ~ Getting Participation/1
‘In the middle…’ That’s what was often said to me by a therapist I used to visit in one difficult phase of my life. ‘I don’t know where to begin,’ I’d say. And that’s how she always replied: ‘How about in the middle?’
The theme of the series:
So in the middle is where I’m starting this new series. The theme is how to get children actively involved in a story, not only listening but joining in. My emphasis will be on Early Years children. But the same idea works with all ages. And there’s an awful lot to say.
1. Let your listeners do the expanding …
For example, take the topic of jewellery. Maybe your is story about highway robbers (I used to tell one of these once.) So there you are, in the middle, describing how the fiendish robbers hold up a carriage at night and order everyone inside to hand out their jewels.
Here’s your opportunity. ‘So that’s what the people started to do,’ you’re saying. ‘They were frightened. They started to take off their jewellery …’
Now you pause, then name one item.
‘Rings!’ you say distinctly, feeling your fingers as you do.
Now you pause again. Aready perhaps one child is joining in: ‘Ear-rings!’
If so, or even if not, maybe lift your hand to your ear: ‘Yes, ear-rings!’ (Say it slowly and in an expectant tone.)
Anybody else joining in yet? No? Well, just continue.
‘Necklaces …(pause) …brooches … (pause) …watches…(pause)…’
Now aren’t they learning a lot of new words? And aren’t they really listening? They’re hearing the names for things, looking round at each other, spotting who’s wearing what, getting excited and getting involved.
So this is exactly when you need to move on with the story. And when you return to this same story (for it’s always a good idea to repeat a story before many days have elapsed), you’ll be interested to note how much the children have taken in. This time, be sure, you’ll get lots of participation.
Next week:
Well, next week I’ll deal with another idea for getting children involved.
Meantime, please note:
Where there’s jewellery in one story, there’s jewellery in plenty of others (princesses?). Furthermore, there are dozens of other categories that can be treated in exactly the same way. Animals in the forest? Furniture in the house? Languages that people speak? Countries in the world? Colours of the rainbow?
You name it. Over to you.
Tags: categories, getting participation, jewellery