Tell It! Don’t Always Read It!

Jennifer Partrick
May 04, 2009

Often, the way in which teachers share stories is by reading them, but telling a story is also a powerful way to introduce children to stories. Storytelling is an effective technique used to excite children about reading and the joy that stories can bring to their lives.

Storytelling immediately unites the storyteller and the audience in an emotional connection. The storyteller uses different devices to draw her students into the story. She makes eye contact with the participants. Sometimes the eye contact is held for short periods or longer periods for effect.

Storytellers also use their voices to create interest. Volume builds suspense. Storytellers raise or lower their voices to draw the participants into the story. Whispering forces the audience to listen closely and maybe wonder what will happen next. Using a loud voice is dramatic and jarring, which can create tension within the listener.

Pausing for just the right amount of time can cause suspense or even humor. Knowing when to pause to let a word or sentence take effect builds the story, leaving the audience to want more. Gestures help the audience to see the characters. Attributing specific gestures to characters brings them to life, helping the audience to see the characters clearly. Body movement, like leaning to or away from the audience is another way to connect to the audience and build suspense.

Sound effects are another important aspect of storytelling. Adding sounds for different actions helps to build the story, making it more interesting for the listener. Often, the audience will join in, once they understand how and when the sounds are used.

Storytelling is another way to share stories with your students, and students of any age love listening to stories. The key is to use those techniques which will empower you as a story teller.