Heads or Tales

The Peace Corps: Still Waiting ....

Here's a new comic from Nelson and me.  Go to the sidebar in the right hand column and click on " Still Waiting."  This is a short one.  Just click on each picture, and you'll be able to read it.  Click on "next" to go to the next page.  "Next" is in the upper left.

Storytelling, Music, Rhymes and Young Children

 

I’ve been working on the programs that I will do this summer for really little ones, ages three to five.  It’s always so much fun to think about what stories I’ll tell and how to weave them together and to imagine the good time I’ll have with all the children.  I think, especially with a very young audience, music and rhythm and rhyme are important.  My friend and storyteller, Bev Comer (www.beverlythestoryteller.com), commented not so long ago that young listeners need a reason to be in the story.  They need to have something to do.  I think she’s right.   I’ve been working on a version of “Hickory Dickory Dock”.  I’ve had that story for quite some time, but, this year, I’ve made some changes.  I have added a song for Henrietta, my mouse puppet, to sing as she is working her way up to the top of the clock, and I’m hoping to have the children be the clock ticking and even bonging when the hour strikes. Plus Henrietta has a very cool backpack.

 

If you’re a person who works with little ones, here’s my advice to you:

 

Find words that rhyme or phrases you can rhyme in stories you tell.  Don’t just tell the classics like the Billy Goats Gruff.  You can make a story out of any important thing in a child’s life.  Who has ears….why you wear a coat when it’s cold….why a worm is brown..those all are fertile story plots.

 

Have your character sing a song.  Can the children sing along with part or all? You don’t need to be a great composer.  In “Hickory Dickory Dock”, Henrietta sings, “Front paw. Front paw. Back paw. Back.  I’m a mouse who’s smart as a tack.”  That goes to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”  She sings three verses up and two verses down. “Back paw. Back paw. Front paw. Front. I’m as strong as an elephant”

 

Feel playful with your singing.  Have fun with your rhyming and everyone else will too.

Here are some story ideas to think about.  You'll find books about these folktales under their title in the library.

"I Know An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly"--How many variations can you do with this one?  My friend Beverly uses a football.

"Who's In Rabbit's House?"  Rabbit shouts through his door and the voice shouts back.  A great spot for rhyming and joining in.

"The Tailor"  I made up a song and movements to go with this story as the tailor makes a story from his fine coat.  Think about it.  You can too.

"The Carrot Seed"  A great chance for rhyming and participation