Happily Ever After:
Great Storytelling Strategies

by Linda Lodding

Want to create magic for your child? Just try a sprinkling of "once upon a time" and watch as you transport your child on a wonderful ride.

Capturing the imagination
In 1947, kids donned masks and climbed onto their stick ponies, inspired by the adventures of the Lone Ranger, who rode through their living rooms rattling the porcelain cups in the china cabinet. In their eyes, the Lone Ranger's escapades were as vivid as if they were shown at an IMAX theater. But, in truth, the storytelling medium was a lot more humble -- a radio propped up on a coffee table -- the story told by the a lone voice draped in static.

Storytelling is different from reading a book to a child. Making up stories for children inspires creativity and allows children to explore their imaginations by enabling them to create their own scenes and characters in their heads, explains Dianne de Las Casas, professional storyteller, instructor and editor of the Louisiana Storytelling newsletter. Telling tales and listening to stories encourages children to use their imaginations -- to consider new ideas, to dream. Neuroscientists have learned that when children actively use their imaginations, they grow richer sets of "neural nets," the connections to the part of the brain where creativity and intelligence are housed.

The power of the tale is that it grasps the imagination and doesn't let go until the final word. Teachers acknowledge that when they put down the book and tell stories to their students they receive a higher level of attention -- higher than in any other classroom situation. Just listen to the hush that follows the words "Once, a long, long time ago..."

Wise words
Not only is storytelling mind expanding, it also feeds a child's spirit.

Storytelling based on folktales is a timeless way of teaching children the consequences of good and bad decisions as well as imparting morals and values. So if you want your child to embrace such concepts as generosity, compassion and responsibility then skip the lecture and cloak your sermon in the guise of a tale. It will be much more readily swallowed.

"Stories teach with images and narration rather than fact," says Peninnah Schram, internationally renowned storyteller, author and recording artist. "These are the lessons that stay with us forever and get passed down from generation to generation. And, when we need to recall these lessons, we dip into the story as the well of wisdom, the wisdom of the ages."

Stories go a long way in supporting your child's cognitive and emotional development. Listening to a story can allow a child to vicariously encounter frightening or difficult situations and process their fears in a safe environment, adds de Las Casas.

Julia, mom to four-year-old Molly, says she is makes up stories to help Molly over-come her fear of swimming. Together they have re-cast Molly as a mermaid who plays with the fish and makes phone calls from conch shells! And Sharon, mother of three, uses their bedtime storytelling ritual to impart the virtues of telling the truth. "My stories certainly seem to be having more impact on Oscar than my disappointing scowl!"

Bonding moments
Story time is a wonderful way for parents to connect with their children and share a piece of their family history,leaving children with a legacy of memories and a sense of identity," says de Las Casas. Storytelling is one of the oldest human activities we have and it creates a bond between generations -- between grandparent and grandchild, parent and child, teacher and student.

"It teaches us about our values, traditions, and our history," adds Schram.

Most importantly, says de Las Casas, storytelling is a special time, a time when your attention is focused solely on your child. Whether you are telling a folktale, reliving a family drama or making up a bedtime tale,your child will have special memories of your together time.

Tips for telling stories
Easier read than said? Try the tips below for getting started with storytelling. Remember that we are all storytellers -- it's the way we naturally communicate. You tell your in-laws about the amusing things your child does. You tell your friends about your weekend events. These are all stories to be shared. Above all, your audience is forgiving and loving and any attempts to tell, however wobbly in the beginning, will be met with enjoyment and wonder. You are not expected to be a Dr Seuss, just a parent sharing a part of yourself.

Start small -- The easiest way to begin is to make up stories starring your own child. For very young children a simple plot line that recounts the day from good morning kisses to bedtime lullaby is the making of a best seller.

Tell me about the time -- Children love to hear about their parents when they were young. Having a hard time remembering that far back? Then ponder these ticklers: Who was your best friend? Did you have a secret hiding place? What was the bravest thing you ever did? How did you get your nickname? Or, try casting off with one of these opening lines: "Once, when Grandma wasn't looking..." or, "I'll never forget the day..."

Gather 'round the album -- Family photo albums, while they capture a snapshot in time, speak volumes for a family's history. Find a special photo and tell the story of the day the picture was taken. What was the weather like the day you brought baby home from hospital? Do you remember your excitement the first time you rode the Ferris wheel? Or, ask the child to make up the story that they think accompanies the photo.

Folktales are made for telling -- Familiarize yourself with folktales from around the world or hone in on folktales which are significant to your heritage such as Jewish folk stories, Hindu, Greek and Roman mythology. Once you know the story, try retelling in your own words. Even classic folktales such as "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella" can be told with your own "voice" and your own ending.

Tales with a twist -- Transpose a classic tale into modern day times. For example, what if "Little Red Jean Jacket" took the subway to visit her Grandma on the lower east side? Or, try retelling a story from another character's point of view. What if Grandma tells the story of the day the wolf came for lunch?

Elaborate and exaggerate -- Have fun with the story and elaborate with dramatic facial expressions and different voices. Imagine how a giant would look versus a proper princess. A big bear would have a deep voice while a mouse would have a tiny, squeaky voice.

Imagine what happens next -- Continue a favorite storybook after the last page. What really happens after the prince gives Sleeping Beauty a kiss?

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Bring toys to life -- Make up a story starring your child's favorite doll, truck or stuffed animal. Continue the sequel the next day.

Opportunities for telling a story are at bedtime, during car trips, when the kids are bored or fussy, at family gatherings, at mealtimes or whenever there is a spare moment. "Most of all," says de Las Casas, "your child will cherish the moment. Let go of your inhibitions and tell from the heart. Your storytelling doesn't not have to be perfect, it just has to be you."

And that's the making of a happily ever after.

Storytelling resources
www.storyconnection.net -- Dianne de Las Casas offers a superb site listing storytelling activities, resources and links.

http://alt.turnersouth.com/storytelling/parents_guide/ -- Turner South's Parent's Guide to Storytelling is a tremendous resource for parents.

www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring00/storytellingtips.htm -- Lisa Lipkin provides great tips for parents in engaging children's imaginations and using storytelling at home.

www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/stories.html-- The University of Calgary has a bevy of children's stories online including folktales, fairytales, myths, and legends. It's a terrific source for stories.

Books
The Everything Bedtime Story Book by Mark Binder.
Bringing the Story Home: The Complete Guide to Storytelling for Parents by Lisa Lipkin.
The Parent's Guide to Storytelling by Margaret Read MacDonald
Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another by Peninnah Schram.
Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins: How Our Family Stories Shape Us by Elizabeth Stone.

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Links, information and more for you

Secrets to Storytelling
Helping Your Child Learn to Read
Family Reading to Young Children
Directory of ages articles
Directory of all articles

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About the author: Linda Lodding is a freelance writer specializing in parenting issues. She is a former editor and contributing writer to the parenting website, ParentNetSweden.com. While Linda is a New Yorker at heart, she has been living in Europe for the past eight years. Linda, her Swedish husband and their four year-old daughter divide their time between Vienna, Austria and Stockholm, Sweden. She can be reached at lodding@hotmail.com.