Posts Tagged ‘storytelling’
I have always loved Nativity Sets. My mother had a beautiful ceramic set painted in blue and white that I remember from my childhood. It was so soft looking that it helped me feel the tenderness of the Christmas story: the birth of Jesus Christ. Since I first went away to collage I have added a few nativity sets to my collection, including my mother’s set from my childhood.
At the beginning of each December we pull out our nativity sets. This year we have the same number of sets as people in our family: 5. Scott is using the Fisher Price Nativity Set we got when Sammi was a baby. As we set up our nativity sets we read the Bible verses about each character. Then we sing a song about each character. This has proved to be a successful activity with young children.
This year it was all about Elli’s wise men visiting Sammi’s Jesus. It’s so fun to see the girls finding each person or animal as we read about them. Then when we are finished reading we play with the sets, retelling the story or parts of it. I love starting the Christmas season this way because it puts the Christmas story of Christ’s birth in our minds and hearts as we go about the rest of our holiday preparations.We also read the story and sing the songs again on Christmas Eve.
Here are the details of our Nativity Story and Songs for each character:
Mary: Luke 1:26-38 “Silent Night“
Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25 “The Shepherd’s Carol” CS, 40
Jesus: Luke 2:1-7 “Away In a Manger” or this version
Shepherds: Luke 2:8-20 “Angels We Have Heard on High“
Wise Men: Matthew 2:1-12 “With Wondering Awe“
This year we are also making a little book that follows the order we read the Christmas story from the Bible. I wrote a short summary of each part with the verse references to put on each page. Yesterday we did the Angel Gabriel and Mary pages. We’re making three books, one for each child, so it’s taking a fair amount of prep work, but the pages yesterday turned out so cute and we had so much fun doing it that I think it’s worth it.
Today we did the pages for Joseph and the angel who comes to him in a dream. Sammi totally won the creativity award today. She made the best looking sleeping Joseph. I wish I’d done my arms the same way! If you’re interested in making this book, too, you can download the words and verses for each page here.
How are you sharing the Christmas Story with your family?
We were inspired by Silly Eagle Books’ Rapunzel tower earlier this week. The timing was perfect as we finished a roll of paper towels and I found another one hanging out in the office. Once the towers were underway, Sammi wanted to recreate as much as she could from movie, so there was a pond, a castle, a path and a slew of floating lanterns.
While making our Tangled diorama, we took turns retelling parts of the story to each other. This flowed particularly well as Sammi chose what she wanted to add. Then she told me about that part of the movie. She has a better memory than I do for this show so my forgetfulness made her ability to retell the story all that more important so I could get the details right!
My favorite part is the mobile of floating lanterns. Sammi really wanted to launch lanterns and included the “pond” as she called the large lake in the movie. She was also very adamant about the lanterns having suns on them. After I put them together and punched the hole, then she drew sun flames around it.
Of course we had to end the evening with another viewing of the movie. And see what else we might add tomorrow…
Other Rapunzel things we love:
Green Golly and Her Golden Flute by Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel
Rapunzel from Little Golden Book
I am really excited about this new program through Cherish Bound. Story Club is a great way to help you choose those stories you want to share and then get them published so they can be shared for a long time to come. This video is a great introduction to the Story Club and I hope it inspires you, like it inspired me, to sign right up and get started on capturing the memories you want to preserve.
If you’re interested in more information or in signing up, check out Story Club here.
Ugh.
Mrs. Baker
Bleh.
The piano. Ugh. Bleh. And double yuck.
I resented that piano with it’s massive size. I resented its placement in the room. I resented being tucked away behind it where no one could see me. Or more importantly where no one, especially Mrs. Baker, could hear me.
I’m sure first grade consisted of more than sitting behind the piano, but that’s all I really remember. Anytime I talked at all in class, I got put behind the piano so I couldn’t distract the other students. As soon as I was released from that isolation someone would say something to me and I would respond, “Shh, don’t get me in trouble.” And next thing I knew, I was back behind the piano. Mrs. Baker only had ears for my voice. I admit, I talked a lot. But I was bored a lot. And I’m an only child with a mother who, at that time, was earning her bachelor’s degree in business. We didn’t really have a lot of time to talk and when we did, they weren’t usually little kid conversations. I was hungry for socializing.
As I was remembering first grade with my mom this week, I told her I could already see my future as a parent in parent-teacher conferences. I’m sure teachers will tell me that Sammi is a smart girl who gets her work done quickly, but she talks too much and distracts the other children from doing their work. My mom chuckled since this is exactly what every single one of my report cards from elementary school through middle school says. But her response to my teachers was that I was an only child who thrived on social interactions. She could see how this gift would help me as I went to college and needed to form study groups and succeed in my classes. And for that reason, she didn’t see it as a character flaw to be squashed out of me, but rather a talent to be put to good use. Aren’t moms the best!
As I’ve spent a little more time thinking about first grade, I do remember participating in the first grade “play” where I was a ladybug with my best friend Cara. My hair was pulled back tight in a bun and I wore a black leotard with huge red pom poms sewn on the back. It’s one of my favorite pictures from first grade. Too bad it’s in Tennessee and I’m in Utah. I’ll have to add it later.
Mrs. Baker always made mugs for her students. They were designed to look like denim jeans and each one had a student’s name written on the label of the jeans. I spent the last few months of the school year worried that she wouldn’t make me one because she didn’t like me. But, she was a better teacher than that! I did get my mug with my name on it and I cherished it for many years even though I didn’t really like first grade at all. But I managed to learned everything required to move on to second grade, which was a happy, happy day for me!
This post is linked up with Mommy’s Piggy Tales. Check out other great stories about first grade experiences.
Welcome to another edition of Mommy’s Piggy Tales! The girls and I traveled all day yesterday. During our very long layover, I had Sammi interview me about my life when I was her age, which is three. We did a cute little video and it was really fun. But when I went to get it ready to share, it has NO sound. Bummer. So I’ll share some of what she asked me and add a few other memories.
Sammi wanted to know all about how I looked: my hair, my hands, my feet, and how big I was. My hair was blond and to my shoulders. I had short bangs way above my eyebrows and in most pictures they are curled under. This was important to Sammi because she wants to grow her bangs out and grow her hair long, long, long! She’s also recently started cooperating for me to curl her hair for church on Sunday. In general, I was a little bit smaller than Sammi (because she has such a tall daddy) but we look an awful lot alike.
I remember getting a pair of tie-up shoes when I was almost four or so. I was so excited and wanted to be able to tie them myself. I remember I spent all day practicing over and over again. As far as I remember, I mastered tying my own shoes on that one day. But my mom may have a different story to tell about that!
We lived in a little red brick house when I was three, before my parents divorced. I remember my dad used to fly me around the living room and call me buzzer bee. I remember that my room was off that main living room. My parents room was next door also off the living room. They had a waterbed and I remember sitting on it and watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on a tiny black and white TV on my mom’s dresser.
The kitchen was also off the living room. My mom would make me sandwiches for lunch. She always took a bite out before she gave it to me. One day, I guess I was getting bigger or maybe she was distracted, but she didn’t take a bite. When she handed me the sandwich I gave it right back and said, “Fix it!” She looked and it and couldn’t figure out what was wrong. She gave it back. But I refused it again and said, “Fix it!” That happened a few times. Finally she took a bite out of it and gave it back. I smiled, said thanks, and ate my sandwich.
If you’d like to find more stories or are looking for inspiration to write your own story, check out Mommy’s Piggy Tales.
When we were offered the chance to review a CD whose purpose was to expose children to the world of classical music in an engaging way I was thrilled. Since one of the ways to help little ones appreciate the performing arts is exposure to them and since I feel rather under-educated when it comes to classical music, I was looking forward to this album at least as much as the girls were.
Magical moments happen when interests and opportunities coincide. Sammi recently became enthralled with the story of Rapunzel and we’ve read several variations of the story. When we received Green Golly and her Golden Flute Sammi recognized Rapunzel on the cover immediately. She was definitely ready to give this album a go. In just a few days of receiving the CD we had listened to Green Golly’s story three times!
Green Golly and Her Golden Flute
The first 12 tracks are a dramatized retelling of Rapunzel (named Green Golly, for the golly good greens that in the witch’s garden did grow) along with clips of classical music woven seemlessly into the story. Keith Torgan is the narrator of the story and does an amazing job of appealing to young children. He has a grand storytelling voice and says the silliest things with such majesty that it’s hard not to be completely captivated.
Then there’s Barbara Siesel on the flute and as the voice of Green Golly. She does a marvelous job going from a newbie on the flute to an accomplished flutist. Siesel’s performance was inspiring. She’s bound to inspire children to want to create music. I want to learn to play the flute now!
One thing that sets this introduction to classical music apart from others I’ve seen is how the music is woven into a story. Each moment when a song is played highlights the meaning and feeling of that piece. My favorite feature is that the name of the composer is given for each piece. I loved that I didn’t have to keep looking to the CD case to see which song and who composed it. That info was included in the storytelling. Well done. After the story, tracks 13-22 are the complete version of each song included in the story. It’s a terrific collection of classical music for using with little ones in a variety of ways.
A final thought on the story. You’ll never believe the twist at the end! Not your typical Rapunzel ending, at all. But fitting for Green Golly, her independence and desire to see the world and perform.
Giveaway!
Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel are excited to share a copy of Green Golly and Her Golden Flute with one BBGU reader. We are excited to host this giveaway for them and know you’ll just love this storytelling/classical music combination. The giveaway closes Monday, April 12 at 11:59 Eastern time and the winner will be announced Tuesday, April 13 and contacted via email.
Required:
- Leave a comment telling me why you think it’s important to expose children to classical music/the performing arts.
Additional Entries:
- Subscribe to Because Babies Grow Up (if you’re already subscribed, leave a comment saying that)
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I’ve always been drawn to the performing arts. I don’t have a great voice. I’m not gifted at playing a musical instrument. I’ve dabbled in drama, but nothing serious. And I’m quite the laughable sight on the dance floor. Despite these shortcomings, I still appreciate the performing arts. Having tried (and found my skills lacking) I know how difficult it is to do it well and that helps me appreciate great performances all the more.
I’d love for the girls to become great pianists with amazing voices that can wow and inspire on the stage or the dance floor. But that needs to be their choice when they’re ready to make it. For now, though, I can share my love of music, drama, and dance with them and help them see the beauty, the comedy, the inspiration, the joy that comes from the performing arts.
Why Are the Performing Arts Important?
Funding for arts in education seems to be at the top of the “Can’t Afford It” list every year. It begs the question, if it’s so easy to cut funding for it, does it really matter? YES! It does matter. And making it part of their early childhood education can help them to have an appreciation for performing arts as they get older. Math, Science, English, History all serve their purpose in the basic knowledge we need to get educated. But appreciating and participating in the performing arts adds another dimension to life. We become well-rounded citizens when we allow the performing arts into our lives. We are inspired, uplifted, moved to better ourselves, our families and our communities. There is joy in living when we allow ourselves to be entertained in wholesome ways.
Appreciating the arts in general, and the performing arts specifically for this post, has always been a sign of advanced civilization. I’ve been thinking about that a lot and trying to find my own understanding of that classification. It reminds me of Maslow’s hierarchy from Psychology 101. If all of our time and energy is focused on meeting our physical needs for food and shelter then there’s no energy left over for emotions or relationships and thus definitely no energy left over for participating in wholesome entertainment. When basic needs are met easily and there’s energy left over, then we can focus on relationships, improving ourselves, understanding the world around us and appreciating or participating in the arts.
So civilizations or groups within civilizations that have an abundance of resources have the energy and time to devote to appreciating the arts and, if they chose, participating in them. From my experiences and observations, it seems that most people have some desire or drive to create something that inspires others. It can be anything from a lullaby for a baby, to a letter-craft for a preschooler; an impromptu band with friends to an comedy routine at a family or neighborhood talent show.
Two Ways to Help Little Ones Appreciate the Performing Arts
- Exposure: They need to see the performing arts in action. Take them to see dance groups or music groups perform locally. Get season tickets to a children’s theater (one of my favorite memories from my elementary school days). Many communities offer free events at the park during the summer months.
- Chance to Participate: You can enroll them in dance classes, art classes, music classes. There are many resources for mommy and me classes (in larger communities) If those things aren’t available, make some instruments at home, crank up a CD or the radio and dance around. Act our your little one’s favorite episode of Dora (or their favorite show or book).
Making the performing arts a part of their lives now will help them in so many ways. They’ll develop confidence in themselves as they perform (even if it’s just for you) and they’ll see the joy that comes from this medium of entertainment. They’ll make connections between their experiences and the culture in which they live. They’ll have knowledge that is shared among their community and society, helping them find ways to interact in new situations.
What other benefits do you see from helping your little ones appreciate the performing arts?
I’ll be talking more specifically this week about music, drama and dance and how to help your little ones appreciate these modes of entertainment, both as a spectator and a participant. Be on the lookout for a sweet giveaway this week, too.
Photo credit: Chipola College – Fine and Performing Arts
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We’ve got one heck of a photographer-friend, Jenni. She’s also the mastermind behind the Oobleck cupcakes I posted yesterday. She was at our Dr Seuss shindig yesterday snapping photos like crazy. She posted all the best ones on her blog, but I thought I’d share my favorites with you here.
Getting into the spirit of the Cat in the Hat
Just how I envisioned it:
- Reading Dr Seuss
- Kids gathered around
- Parents close by
- Snacks not too far off, either.
It was the perfect party, in my opinion. Lots of friends came and brought Dr Seuss books and food. The house was decorated with pictures and books in honor Dr Seuss. We visited, shared and played for hours. Thanks everyone who participated!
What makes a perfect party, in your opinion?
I love words. When I read, I am driven by the words on the page. As fast as I can absorb the words determines how quickly I turn the pages. This is fine for reading grown up books with few or no illustrations, but I tend to carry this over into my reading with the girls. I’ve really had to work at slowing down and looking at the pictures with them and answering the random questions that arise, entirely unrelated to the storyline, because of the illustrations. Even when I am trying consciously to allow time for studying the pictures, I still get caught up in the words. For this reason I now LOVE Chicken and Cat Clean Up.
Chicken and Cat Clean Up came to us from Scholastic for review. When Sammi first pulled it from the pile and wanted me to read it, I expected your typical picture book. But I was surprised when I opened the book and there were no words to read. I turned to the next page to see if there were words. None. I turned the page again. Hmmm. I was at a lost. So I went back to the beginning to figure out how to “read” this book to Sammi. But, Sammi’s observations and imagination came through to make this book a big hit.
We poured over the pictures on each page and looked for all the details that would help us understand the story. There is a little bit of print throughout the book, but almost all of it can be figured out through the illustrations. After we went through the book a couple of times, Sammi went off to her baby dolls to tell them the story over and over again. Then it occurred to me that this book was perfect for developing the early literacy narrative skill.
Storytelling is a part of developing literacy. When little ones understand the structure of stories, that they have a beginning, a middle and an end, they are better able to process the meaning of the words in the story. Retelling stories, or even making up their own, is great practice in developing literacy skills. I love to watch Sammi, and now Elli too, sit with a book and turn the pages as they retell the story to each other and their dolls. Sammi even has mastered holding the book facing away from her and “reading” it from the side. Elli is great at holding up the book and showing off the page to the whole room before turning the page and looking at the book herself again.
So, back to Chicken and Cat Clean Up. The illustrations are engaging, simple, but full of detail. The story is a bit of a page turner because you just wonder if it really could get any worse for poor Cat and then the ending is charming. I like this book not only for its strength in helping kids develop narrative skills necessary for literacy, but also because it created the opportunity for me to forget the words and lose myself in the illustrations. It really helped me experience literature from my little ones’ perspective; to remember what books are like when you can’t read; and how much joy there can be in that experience.
Use the code SSVDAY at Scholastic to receive 20% and free shipping if your order is $25 or more. This code is valid until Feb 1 (that’s Tuesday already!) This post is part of the Winter Wonderland Carnival. If you haven’t already, you can enter to win one of our great prizes from our fabulous sponsors. Please visit Join the Winter Wonderland and leave a comment. For an additional entry, you can also leave a comment on this post. We’ve also added this post to Adventu1re Mom Janna’s Feed Me Books Friday. Please visit to find other books to share with little ones!
What is your favorite story that you’ve heard your little one tell? What is your favorite story to tell you little one?
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I love journals. It’s the writer/storyteller in me that just goes wild when I get a new journal. As much as I enjoy opening a blank book and writing away, I love journals with prompts even more. I think I have a suppressed love of filling out forms. I don’t know where it came from, but it surfaces about tax time each year 
So I was really excited when Carrie Lundell agreed to feature her This Is Me journal as part of the Winter Wonderland carnival.
Aside from the prompts in the journal, I was drawn to Carrie’s slogan: Scrap the Scrapbook and Preserve the Personality! I have never been a very good scrapbooker and as the girls have gotten older and busier, I’ve fallen farther and farther behind in getting pictures in albums. Carrie’s slogan broke through my fog created by feelings of guilt and being overwhelmed and shone like the bright sun on a new day. I was pumped to share this journal with Sammi.
And Sammi did not disappoint! She was so excited that we got a book just for her and that she got to draw and write in it all by herself. Carrie had suggested reading the parent’s guide on the last page before beginning. So with an antsy preschooler at my side, I flipped to the back and scanned. The layout made it easy to ready quickly and absorb the tips so that in just a few moments I was ready to share the journal with Sammi.
I had her start by drawing her self portrait on the first page. In hindsight, I think I should have warmed her up to drawing herself before drawing on the actual first page. She grabbed her favorite color, pink, and scribbled away. After that, I gave her a piece of paper and talked about drawing herself and got a very adorable, 3-year-old’s perspective on what Sammi looks like to herself. I’m tucking that portrait in the pocket at the back of the book to keep to show her she did really draw herself, not just crazy pink lines.
We worked through the first few pages. I turned the prompts into questions I asked Sammi and then wrote down her answers. Some of my favorite are that her favorite thing about being 3 is going to preschool. But she doesn’t actually go to preschool! I haven’t found a program that has space so we’ve visited a few, but I’ve mostly decided to do preschool activities at home. Another favorite is that if she could have any pet, it would be an elephant. And then she drew this adorable picture of the elephant. It’s hard to see, but her elephant has seven legs and a tail. She was very pleased with the long trunk she drew (top left).
While we could get any book and so some of the same things, I would choose this keepsake journal for a few reasons. First, I love the design. It’s professional but appealing to kids. Second, the prompts are already there and, after flipping through the book, there are ideas I never would have thought to include. One last reason, because it’s already formatted and bound in a book, I’m more likely to finish it with Sammi over the course of the year and then keep it for her to look through in the future.
As part of the Winter Wonderland, Carrie is offering one This Is Me journal to a BBGU reader. Make sure you comment on the Join the Winter Wonderland post to enter the giveaway. You can also comment on this post for an extra in the giveaway. This giveaway is open until January 31 at 11:59 pm EST.
What memories have you preserved that are special to you know? Would they have been forgotten if you hadn’t done something to preserve them?
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