How to be a good Storyteller

Storytelling is a great skill to teach kids. It helps build their language skills and can instill a love for reading. One of my favorite things to do is listen to my child read and tell a story in her own words. Research suggests that the fear of speaking in public is the second greatest fear that adults have. Getting kids comfortable with speaking in front of audiences at an early age is just one benefit of teaching kids how to tell stories. Other benefits of teaching children the art of storytelling include building their confidence, improving their writing skills and instilling a love of reading.

Here are six ways you can teach your kids the art of storytelling:
1

Expose them to good storytelling

Since we can’t go to libraries right now, find videos that show good storytellers to expose them to storytelling.

Let them choose their story

Expose them to a great number of short books and stories, and let them choose the one they love most.

Be expressive

Help kids see and use their whole body when storytelling.

Good storytelling uses body language, eye contact and expression in their voices.

Try wordless books

A blank piece of paper can be intimidating, but a picture is easier for children who can’t read.

Practice

Children will become more comfortable with storytelling by practicing in front of family , a mirror or videotaping themselves telling their stories.

Practice makes memorization of the story easier as well.
6

And last is for the audience, be a good listener.

But Remember most of all storytelling should be fun...SO HAVE FUN!

Another tip to help kids enjoy storytelling is to use story starters. Here are some examples:

You can also use a star story to build a unique story to share:

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