Storytelling is an art form which develops many skills relevant for children today. Some of these include:

Pictorial thinking (learning to listen and create the pictures in one’s own imagination in response to what is being heard.)

Sequential imaging (being able to recreate internally what was heard in a logical and sequential manner.)

Descriptive language (children will hear many examples of this and through games and specific exercises they will learn how to utilize this skill in their storytelling.) They will learn to use sensory memories to create metaphors , and as a source for plot and character. They will describe landscapes, actions and emotions.

Story structures (learning more about specific parts and functions of a story. Learning to establish clear beginnings and endings will also be explored. Students will also learn about story genres, (ie. fairy tales, myths, folk tales  etc.) They will learn through their oral interpretations to create mood and tone within a story. They will learn about story variants that exist in many different cultures. They will learn that there are many ways to tell a story.

Vocal expressiveness :…(using modulation, tempo, volume and projection.) They will learn simple songs and chants.

Creative movement:….Children will learn through looking and imitating how to create and initiate creative movement.

Character development:…. (combining voice and body, using full body movements, gestures and facial expressions.) Children will also explore emotional expressiveness and explore characters’ motives within a story. They will explore different characters’ perspectives within a story. They will come to see a wide variety of human traits that characters represent.

Memorization skills:…. (using story maps, repetition and how to find key images and moments within a story.)

Improvisation : …using sound and movement in story; rhythm and repetition. They will

expand their capacities to create and discover new ideas in the moment of telling a story.)

They will make connections between storytelling skills ,( listening and oral interpretation) and their own creative writing.

Other skills include:

Standing up in front of a group-----

Performance skills------

Learning to give positive feedback-----

Offering creative suggestions and working with them-----

Peer support, taking risks, pride in accomplishments and sharing creative work-----

Building a storytelling community, sharing stories in the community-----

Consciously developing the imagination-----

Having Fun!!