It’s late. You’re so tired you could sleep on the floor through an earthquake outside in a rainstorm. Or that might just be me. Then your child says, “Tell me a story.” And you can’t think of a single idea other than sleeping . . . soon.
Here’s all you need to do . . . remember the parts of the story and ask for audience participation.
CHARACTERS: “Okay, who is going to be in this story?” (Suggest princess x, doggie y, or unicorn z.)
SETTING: “Where should the story take place?” (Suggest forest, desert, ocean, bedroom, school.)
PROBLEM: “What’s going to happen that’s hard for the main character?” Suggest a storm, something lost, mean person.)
Look around the room for a few more ideas if you need.
READY, SET, TELL. “Once there was a golden retriever named Princess Poo-Poo. (Yes, obvious crowd pleaser but it works every time.) . . .
Work in the problem, figure out how the character (hero) solves the problem and wrap it up.
THE END.
Pat yourself on the back. You’re a story teller!
Story twists:
Mix up fairy tale characters and settings. Examples: Snow White and the Three Bears.
Add in daddy humor. Example: Cindersmella and the three stink bugs. Goldisocks and the seven piggies.
Try “Tell Me a Story” cards. Draw from a deck and use the pictures to make up unique stories. We love this at my house!
Don’t forget, you can visit www.imaginationsoup.net to find more fun learning activities.