Articles: Reading: The Storytelling Stick
|
Here's a family activity that can be done any time of the year. Just switch up the supplies and use what you can find naturally in your environment no matter the time of the year or where you live!
A Storytelling Stick is a variation of what Native Americans traditionally call a Talking Stick. For centuries, tribes used Talking Sticks during council meetings to indicate whose turn it was to address the group. One stick was used and passed around. Whomever had the stick talked freely, without fear of being shamed or retaliated against, and the others listened without interruption.
Following the same basic concept, a Storytelling Stick is held by whoever’s turn it is to tell a story. The storyteller can walk around and be as animated as he wants to be, all the while carrying the Storytelling Stick. The others listen and watch. When the stick is laid down, the story is over (at least for now) and the audience should clap, no matter the ability of the storyteller!
A Storytelling Stick is a fun way for children 3 years old and up to build their listening and comprehension skills as well as practice their verbal skills and ability to structure a story.
Each person can have their own decorated stick or the family can create one together and share it. Look in your backyard, local park, and craft store or sewing kit for the following items: nicely shaped and sturdy stick 1 to 3 feet long; bird or craft feather(s); an interesting small rock or two; ribbon, yarn, or twine; several colorful beads or seashells pierced with a small hole in each; paint or markers; and maybe a cotton ball or chunk of sea sponge. You may also find it helpful to have glue, hot glue (adults only), or strong, clear sticky tape handy.
Storytelling is especially entertaining when it takes place around a campfire or backyard fire pit, but it is also fun to do with the entire extended family present during a holiday cookout or in front of the fireplace or seated on the family room floor!
The first thing to do is to lay down some basic rules, such as: when the storyteller is talking, everyone else must be listening and stay seated, and that applause should be given at the end of each story, especially for the little ones. Then decide whether everyone will have a chance to relate their own stories or one story will be started and each person will have a turn continuing it.
Happy storytelling!
|
|