Storytelling

We all have to tell stories at some point during our Sunday Club career & I wonder if anyone else feels daunted by this task like I do?? I’ve been reading a book called The Children’s Ministry Guide to Story Telling by Ruth Alliston. Sounds relevant? Let me share with you some of Ruth’s helpful hints. I hope they help you like they’ve helped me!

1. First thing to remember: you are probably more experienced than you think!


2. Practice
Get to know the story inside out, even if you are going to read it! This will make you more confident and help you engage with the children during the storytelling. It may seem like a waste of time, but it’s the first step to avoiding the following pitfalls…


3. What if it goes wrong?
   
We all make mistakes, especially when we are new to something – it’s rarely as bad as we think. Keep trying!


4. I forgot to say something really important
   
If you forgot to say something important, stop and say ‘Oh, I forgot something very important…’ Tell what it was, and pick up the story again.


5. I started to waffle and lost the children’s attention
   
As soon as you realise what has happened, stop and ask ‘Where was I before I got sidetracked?’ Children can answer if they know. Go back to your last point, repeat briefly and continue.


6. I talked too fast
   
We speak quickly when we are nervous. Try to keep a steady pace and breathe evenly. Have an activity, song or rhyme that relates to your story, just in case you finish too soon. For older children, prepare several brief questions, or let them tell the story back to you.


7. I completely lost the children’s attention
   
Finish quickly and move on. Learn from the experience but don’t take it so seriously that you will never try it again.


8. One of the children was frightened & started to cry
   
Most children have vivid imaginations. Some are very sensitive and will easily identify with characters in your story. Think carefully about any frightening or emotionally sensitive parts, and try to find a balance between making them exciting and making too much of a drama out of them. If you see a child is upset, nominate a helper to comfort them and talk to them afterwards. Afterwards, tell them you are sorry that they were upset and remind them of any good or funny parts of the story.

At the end of it all, review yourself. Think about what worked, and what you could improve. If you see someone do a good job – tell them! If you can think of something they could have done better or differently tell them that too, but always after telling them something that they did well.

Storytelling may be scary, hard work, time consuming, disastrous or hilarious. But when you give it all you’ve got you will find it to be one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences of working with children!