Looking over my blog, I realize how heavily I rely on improvised verbal storytelling and have neglected getting into action. The reason is because verbal stories have been what seem to delight and inspire LP’s imagination but as I’m working to challenge her to expand her play, it is good to challenge us both into more active storytelling.
Getting started can be easy…while sharing a story (either made up or already known like a fairy tale), find a place to do a little action together. You can flutter like butterflies or wiggle like worms. You can feed each other pretend spoonfuls of the Three Bears’ porridge or clip-clop clip-clop around like the Billy Goats Gruff.
You don’t have to commit to acting out the whole story to introduce action into storytelling… although acting out whole stories is something I look forward to with great anticipation!
This post is a part of the Moms’ 30 Minute Blog Challenge over at SteadyMom.
Great idea! I find that when I act it out (like a big bear sneezing), my daughter reaches for that book over and over again and anticipates events more than usual.
I used this technique a lot when I taught music and movement to pre-s to 2nd grade. I really think it helps learning to feel the story in their little bodies. Love your blog!
Thanks for stopping by…yes, what a great way to put it , Jen, it really is about opening up opportunities for more holistic experiences which feed excitement and anticipation like turnitupmom mentions!