5 Ways Storytelling Can Help Your Family Bond

One of my fondest memories of childhood was cuddling with my parents before bedtime as one of them lulled my siblings and I to sleep with a great story. Some of these bedtime stories were fairytales that they’d read from a book, but the very best tales were the ones they’d make up from the heart. To this day, as the mom of eight kids, I’ve never forgotten those cozy evenings where my mind would drift off to magical places before a dreamy night of heavenly sleep.

It’s been said that storytelling is an art that has mental, social, and educational benefits on children. People of all ages love stories. Children love great stories and thrive when they listen to them. Storytelling literally means reading out stories to others or just telling a story from memory. Sadly, it’s becoming a lost art today because so many busy parents just don’t have the time to spend with our kids because of the crazy, busy lives we lead between work schedules and home life.

If you want to turn the page on your family’s fun quotient, Mighty Mommy has five tips to help bring your family closer through the art of creative storytelling.

Tip #1: Get Cues from a Picture Book

If you aren’t confident in concocting a dreamy fairytale of your own, grab a simple picture book and feed off the colorful visual cues that await you on every page.  My favorite book to launch into a wistful and dramatic bedtime story was Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.  The classic lines read, “In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny … Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” As wonderfully and magical as the author’s word were, I would recreate this incredible classic by paying tribute to the special things in my own kid’s rooms. Some nights, I’d make the story funny and make crazy rhymes out of the cute posters hanging in their bedrooms or invent adventures for their stuffed animals and favorite dolls to participate in. The key was making the story extremely personable by using their actual toys and cherished bedroom items to take center stage.

Sometimes I had no idea where the story would end up, but the look on my kid’s faces when they tried to keep their very tired eyes open just long enough to find out what would happen next was absolutely priceless.  See Also:  5 Ways to be a More Playful Parent

Tip #2:  Don’t Be Boring

Storytelling is more than just reading the words of a story out loud. It takes other skills as well. It’s important to use different tones in your voice when you are telling a story. If your voice stays at the same level, it is boring! You need your voice to go higher and lower and louder and softer. When you’re telling your kids a story, you need to picture yourself as one of the characters. Ask yourself questions as you get ready to deliver your tale. Are you meek and mild or boisterous and full of life?  Will you try to deliver a life-long message or are you simply trying to stir up a bit of fun for your kids?

The reason my siblings and I loved to hear my parents tell a story when we were kids was the way it was delivered. The stories were usually full of zest and zeal and, even if my parents were fabricating the silliest story of all time, we didn’t care because their tone was genuine. 

One favorite character that I can recall vividly was a little squirrel that lived in the tree next to our bedroom window. He was no ordinary squirrel; he was also a super hero who watched all the goings on in our house because he could see everything from that tall branch that overlooked our bedrooms. When we had difficulty falling asleep, that rascal of a squirrel always knew and would come let my parents know we needed a little extra attention that night. When one of us was doing something extra nice for our younger siblings, that super squirrel would let them know and we would be rewarded the next day completely out of the blue. The tales went on and on and to this day, my four siblings and I still talk about those magical nights that we listened to our parents tell us these amazing stories. 

Tip #3:  Make It Interactive

A great way to start your story is by simply asking your children, “What do you want your story to be about?” From the very first question, you’ve gotten them involved in the story. On the other hand, don’t be surprised if this question stumps them and they flounder and say “I don’t know.” When that happens, ask someone to rattle off the first thought that comes to mind. For example, a few weeks ago my youngest daughter couldn’t find a single idea to suggest, so I asked her to name the first animal that came to mind.  She immediately shouted out “Gansett,” her pet bunny of the past year.

My mind started whirring with all things bunny related—carrots, floppy ears, Easter eggs, grazing in lush, green meadows. I decided we’d make the story a collaborative effort so I started with the first sentence.  “Once upon a time there was a fuzzy, brown bunny named Gansett that lived in Annie Butler’s 4th grade classroom. The kids in her classroom were crazy about Gansett except for one kid in the class. Her name was _______, and the reason she didn’t like Annie’s bunny was__________.  This creates a “back and forth” between you and your child, and by the time the story is done, you will both be engaged and laughing. This only goes on for about 10 to 15 minutes but the lasting effect of sharing this time will create lifelong memories for you and your kids.

Tip #4:  Learn From the Professionals

If you want to become better at something, learn from the masters! One great resource for storyteller wannabes is your local library. Check out what’s on tap at your favorite library, and you will probably find several storytelling presentations that you can attend with your kids. Pay close attention to their expression, delivery, and body language.  Even if you pick up one or two small tips to incorporate into your storytelling, you will be able to expand on the quality moments you spend bonding with your child through the magic of storytelling. See Also:  10 Ways the Library Can Help Your Family

Tip #5:  Once Upon a Photo

One of my favorite ways to start a story is to use one of our family photo albums.  Even if you don’t have an organized album or scrapbook, grab a few random photos of your family, or select them from your smart phone, and get started. Show your child the photo and either reminisce about that time the photo was taken or come up with a completely new adventure using your child and the setting from the photo as the main theme. So, if you have a recent photo from the holiday season that has just passed, you could create a fantasy story similar to The Polar Express or A Christmas Carol by using your own family members and interjecting a new spin on the adventure.  “The snow was falling quickly and, within a few short hours, it was piled halfway up our front door.  The wind was howling and, before long, all the electricity went out.  We all cuddled by the fireplace in our cozy pajamas when all of a sudden there was a knock at the front door.  We weren’t expecting anyone this late at night, so we looked at daddy to see what he was going to do. He slowly got up from his comfy chair where he was holding a large bowl of buttery popcorn that all of us were eating and slowly went to answer the door. Before he could put his hand on the knob the entire house began to shake and the sound of a train whistle got louder and louder.”   

You take it from here! Once you start delivering a few details, your own imagination will go wild and before you know it, you’ll be completely immersed in an exciting tale that you’ve crafted for your kids, all stemming from looking at one or two family photos. The creative possibilities are endless!  See Also:  8 Ways to Be Present with Your Kids

What fun ways have you incorporated story telling into your family’s life?  Share your thoughts in the comments section at quickanddirtytips.com/mighty-mommy, post your ideas on the Mighty Mommy Facebook page. or email me at mommy@quickanddirtytips.com. Visit my family-friendly boards at Pinterest.com/MightyMommyQDT.

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