How to Make the Story Happen at Any Time
Rebecca Scheir is the host and producer of Circle Round , a children’s storytelling podcast from WBUR. The show tells fairy tales from all over the world, adapted for modern families. She shares with Offspring how parents can use storytelling in their daily life with their children.
When I was 20 years old in New York, I constantly met a person whom I called “Lady Zabara”. Anyway, I would see Lady Zabara everywhere: on the bus, on the subway, waiting for seats on a Broadway show. And every time, without fail, this thin, dark-haired woman clutched an old plastic bag from the specialty Zabar’s grocery store.
We never spoke. I’ve never seen what was in the bag. But that didn’t stop me from creating a detailed story about who “Mistress Zabara” was. I imagined where she came from, how she spent her days and, yes, what I carried with me in this mysterious crumpled bag.
It doesn’t matter if we are three or 93, we are all suckers for good stories. Not just hearing them or reading them (or watching them – did anyone else watch “another episode” on Netflix before 2am yesterday?) … but telling them.
Easily incorporate storytelling into your family’s daily life. It will bring you closer, expand your imagination, and what’s the best? No props or technologies are required.
Unfamiliar stories
As with The Zabar’s Lady, the next time you’re out with your kids, pick the person you see – granny clutching melons in the grocery aisle, freckled redhead lifeguard blowing his whistle by the pool – and imagine what the story of this person could be.
Ask yourself all sorts of questions about this person. Where is she from? What values him the most? What is her greatest secret? Or tell the story of everything this person has done today, right up to the present day: what did he eat for breakfast? Did she come here straight from her home (or apartment / cave / rocket ship, etc.) Or did she make a few stops first? What is his real reason for being here today?
Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild during your brainstorming session. But one professional tip: wait until you are out of earshot first.
Circle Stories
Improvisation groups use these stories to keep their creative muscles on their toes. Basically, they go in circles, composing a story, but each person can only say one sentence at a time.
To tell the story of your own circle, gather your family and choose a location for your story. Then decide on the order of the storytellers. The first person’s job is to start the story … with one sentence. When the next person takes over, he or she takes the final say and continues the story – again, with just one sentence!
Each of you must have multiple moves to add to the story. As you build your story, think about how to add drama or tension; encourage your kids to go for wacky surprises and quirky twists and turns. As for when the story ends, let’s just say that this activity is perfect for when you have a limited amount of time. As soon as the bus arrives / the cashier calls / the microwave rings, the story is ready!
Helpful Hint: Use an IC recorder to capture the History of the Circle, then ask the family to listen when you’re done. It will definitely be a fun and amusing family souvenir.
True stories
Fictional stories aren’t the only ones worth telling. We all have our own true stories, from the moment we get up in the morning to the minute we fall asleep.
Towards the end of the day – before dinner or before bed – have your children remember what they spent the day. Think about your own day and get started by sharing a specific moment. It might be the highest point, the lowest, the most memorable, the funniest … then ask your children to do the same. Help them turn this moment into history by carefully extracting information from open-ended questions: “What happened after that?” “And what did she say then?” “What do you think about it?”
Alternatively, you can play this game in the morning while thinking about the day before.