Story Telling Tips
January 26, 2010 10:56 am Activities“Being able to read is like being able to unfold a world of possibilities. You can make your own world by the books you read,” says Robert Munsch, well-loved children’s author of best sellers including Love You Forever, The Paper Bag Princess, and Mortimer.
As an author, literacy is obviously important to Munsch, which is why he has been the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day for the last seven years. Family Literacy Day is an annual initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999 to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family.
“I love being a part of Family Literacy Day because it allows me to meet lots of interesting people and help to create a love of reading,” says Munsch.
Anyone can celebrate Family Literacy Day on January 27 by practicing literacy activities such as writing, singing, reading and telling stories. In honour of Family Literacy Day, Robert Munsch shares some of his expert storytelling tips:
1. Be yourself, develop your own style.
2. First read the story, and then write it down. Then tape yourself telling the story.
3. Start telling the story using your own words.
4. Tell stories on the bus, during bath time or while cooking.
5. Make your voice loud and clear.
6. Include simple songs or chants to bring the story to life.
7. Use repetition of a word or a phrase.
8. Move around to act out the story.
9. Have your child pick a favourite toy or use one of your old stuffed animals to be a character in the story.
10. Relax and have fun.
Family literacy tips, activity ideas and event information, can all be found online at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.
