Jj is for Jottings 95.  Oral Storytelling.

Oral storytelling is wonderful for developing listening skills (no pictures – so there is no visual ‘cheating’) and language.  It also encourages memory and can stimulate imagination.  You can read about the importance of listening here and here.  You can tell the story, or you can encourage your child to tell the story.  Your child may not be confident enough to tell stories from the outset.  However, after hearing you tell stories and with some encouragement, they may begin to feel like having a go.  Even if your child doesn’t feel like telling stories, the listening, language and memory benefits are still there.

TOPICS FOR STORYTELLING.

Topics for storytelling are limited only by your imagination (and your child’s), but some suggestions include:

• A family pet
• The child’s favourite toy/s
• Other family members
• Dinosaurs, a particular favourite of many boys
• Imaginary talking animals
• People’s work or professions eg. vets, teachers, doctors, firefighters etc., depending on the child’s interests
• A favourite fictional character from a book, movie or television show
• Imaginary characters in an imaginary world

GETTING STARTED.

You might think the idea of storytelling is a bit daunting yourself, but you could begin by telling true stories so you don’t have to actually make them up.  Stories from your own childhood and childhood pets are a great start.  I used to love my mother telling me stories about her childhood, and even now I love to hear my aunts and uncle reminiscing.  My children would do the same – “Tell us some stories about when you were a kid.”  I must admit I always thought my mother’s stories were far more interesting than any of my own, but the children seemed to enjoy them.  Anyway, I cheated – I told Mum’s stories to them as well as my own, so they got a double dose.  (My grandfather was a huge practical joker, so there have been many great stories from that direction!)

STORYTELLING TIPS.

Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when storytelling with your children:

• Begin with topics which you know will interest your child. You can probably expand their horizons once you have them hooked.
• Make it interesting and exciting, with different voices, gestures and maybe even puppets.
• If you are creating new stories rather than memory-based ones, start with a character and a setting.
• You could have a dress-up box for your child to use for storytelling and imaginative play.

STORYTELLING AND LANGUAGE STIMULATION.

If you are telling the stories, your child will develop listening, receptive language (understanding) skills and memory.  These are the same areas developed when you read to children.  (For some alarming statistics on this topic, see here.)  If children are telling the stories, they will develop expressive language skills. For detailed techniques for developing your child’s language see here and here.  Start by telling stories based on your own experiences and then move on to making up stories.  You will probably find yourself developing your own imagination and skills in storytelling which were quite unexpected!  That’s the bonus for developing your child’s skills.

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