SXWS

Archive for February, 2010

Storytelling can be the most awaited part of a preschooler’s day, especially if it is his mother or father who reads to him. Experience has shown that reading on a one-to-one basis or at the very most, to 6 children at a time, brings out the best in a storytelling session.
For 2-year-olds, books with colorful and big illustrations are suggested. Children experience rhyme, repetition verses, and different story lines when a variety of books are read to them.
When the storyteller questions the children — about the story or how they feel about certain characters or situatinns — the child not only develops a critical mind, but is also able to formulate complete sentences. As children hear words pronounced and have experience with talking, the child will also learn how to articulate words correctly. Can television do this? Does it allow for feedback? Does TV give us time to figure out a situation? Does it require a perspective from another person? Your guess is as good as mine! What is most interesting to observe in young listeners is their reactions to stories with highly contrasting good and evil plots — such stories which have bad characters who take advantage of good characters. Most children between ages 2-5 years old are highly impressed by such stories. They feel strongly for the oppressed and develop a sense of justice. I have often questioned why stepmothers or stepfathers are often portrayed as the bad parent, or why a wolf or a snake is almost always the notorious character in a story. I suppose this is where a good amount of discussion is needed with the child. Encourage the child to question and be open-minded about reactions to situations. Present real life situations that show both the good and the bad side of things. This would broaden the child’s perspective of the world and modify his preconception that all stepparents and wolves are evil. In the same manner, do we let the child keep silent after a storytelling session and allow him to think about the story? A chatty 3-year-old may ask endless “WH” (why, where, when, who) questions. The storyteller should catch that golden moment for a good discussion.