Just wanted to say a few words about children retelling after listening to stories. Retelling is also a strategy used after reading a story as well. Great connections between storytelling and literacy!
When retelling, children need to organize their thoughts. In short, they have to think. They think about sequence of events, how the story makes sense as far as beginning, middle, and ending, what’s important and what’s a detail, and pick out the important key events while focusing on remembering the correct order. They particularly enjoy telling the ending to a story.
And retelling a story is quite a sense of accomplishment. What a wonderful way for children to feel valued and develop self-esteem, have fun in the process, and even develop speaking skills. What a confidence builder! People enjoy listening to stories, and it’s an all-around fun experience for both teller and listener. And guess what? You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy listening to stories or telling them!
Okay, I can’t stop. Children crave to tell stories. They love telling you their own personal events in their young lives. As a teacher, I felt like mother duck with my baby ducklings following me so they could tell me their stories. And what a treat! So let’s cash in on the storytelling. Give them opportunities to listen to stories and opportunities to retell them … and have the extra bonus of developing those reading skills as well. Wow! This is a win, win!
Now, go tell someone a story!
http://www.ednawaidellcravitz.com/storytelling-l…elling-a-story/