In a world filled with endless possibilities and boundless imagination, storytelling holds a special place for young minds. Whether it’s weaving captivating tales or presenting a school project, the ability to deliver a great story is a valuable skill that can leave a lasting impact.
At Super Speak, we understand the importance of fostering effective storytelling skills in children and have been teaching children these skills since 2006.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 11 valuable tips to help kids not only prepare but also deliver a great story.
1. Create a story bank: every time something interesting happens to your child, encourage them to make a note of it, or make a note of it yourself. You would be surprised with how much they can draw from the many personal stories/experiences they have had when storytelling. And kids are often more excited & passionate about re-telling personal stories, even if they are embellished a bit!
2. Start with a strong opening: grab the audience’s attention in the very beginning with a strong opening line or anecdote that sets the stage for the rest of the story.
3. Have a clear structure: there are many different ways to structure a story, but the three key ingredients are a beginning, middle and end. Generally, most good stories have a strong, clear beginning (introducing characters & setting), some tension in the middle, and a resolution to end.
4. Bring your characters to life: characters may include a hero, villain or other supporting characters. If time allows, you may wish to describe your characters, including what they look like, how they sound & what they enjoy doing… describe using pause, volume & hand gestures to bring them to life even more!
5. Describe your setting: you can describe your setting in a range of different ways to create stronger connections with your audience. Use your senses including what you can see, smell, taste, feel or hear.
6. Develop the plot: there are a range of different plots you may wish to consider when creating your story. These may include tragedy, hero’s journey, rebirth, rags to riches or the voyage/quest. There are many other plot ideas online you can explore for inspiration.
7. Use descriptive language: and sensory details to paint a vivid picture of the setting, characters, and events of the story. This will help the audience visualize and become more engaged with the story.
8. Vary your pace and tone: to add drama and interest to the story. For example, you might speak more slowly and quietly for a suspenseful moment, or more quickly & excitedly for a climactic moment.
9. Use body language and gestures: to help convey the emotions and actions of the characters in the story. This can help bring the story to life and make it more engaging for the audience.
10. Engage the audience: by asking questions, inviting them to participate in the story, or using other techniques to keep them interested and involved.
11. End with a strong conclusion: that ties up any loose ends & leaves a lasting impression.
At Super Speak, our award winning program teaches children aged 6-14 public speaking & presentation skills. We also teach children how to tell great stories and have been doing it since 2006! Our fun learning program incorporates both public speaking & drama to ensure our students gain broader learning outcomes to help them in and out of the classroom. We have a teaching team with unmatched experienced and the most comprehensive curriculum in Australia. We teach our classes in a style that is fun, supportive & high energy! Our students learn to be more confident & capable public speakers & everyday communicators for life. Check out Super Speak Public Speaking Program here and join over 65,000 other children who have trusted Super Speak.