Be a Storyteller for Your Grandchild

I grew up listening to my Grandma Amelia tell me stories of her childhood in San Francisco, California. My favorite story was the time she got to camp out in a tent in Golden Gate Park after the San Francisco 1906 Earthquake. She was 12-years old and thought it was the most exciting thing that ever happened in her life. Even now, all these years later, I can still picture us snuggling together on her Davenport while she spun vivid images of people and places she’d known and visited in her life.

I continued my grandma’s storytelling tradition for my own children and grandchildren and even took some storytelling classes over the years. Storytelling is one of the best ways we can connect with our grandchildren. When we share our stories, we pass on our values, morals, family history, and places we’ve lived. Stories also help our grandchildren define their identity and give them a strong sense of who they are. Stories are what people remember most.

At our September GaGa Sisterhood meeting, storyteller Priscilla Howe mesmerized us with her animated voice and vivid descriptions. She gave us a true appreciation of the value of storytelling.

Story is the best magic there is — Laurie Frankel

Storytelling Resources

If you’re thinking you have no stories and nothing ever happened to you, then you’re not alone. Many of us are too timid to tackle storytelling because we think we have to be polished. But your grandchildren will hang on your every word if you try some of Priscilla’s tips and techniques.

She also recommends the book by Don Davis (no relation): “Telling Your Own Stories.” He wrote his workbook for those who long for family storytelling but live with the misconception that they have no stories to tell. His book operates under the premise that all stories are about memorable people, places, or happenings. No doubt there have been such people, places, and happenings in your life, therefore,  you have stories to be mined.

He offers a series of “baited fishhooks” to use in a pond of stories that have probably been virtually untouched and is uniquely yours.

Combine his book with the tips and techniques Priscilla shared and I promise you, you’ll be excited to start telling stories to your grandchildren.

Tips, Techniques, and Types

Here are some good times to tell stories:

• Bedtime
• Long car rides
• Waiting at doctor’s office
• Around the campfire

Consider telling personal stories, folktales, made-up stories, true tales from history, and stories from books. Don’t forget about nursery rhymes, campfire stories, riddles, and fingerplays. At the library, look in the Dewey Decimal section 398.2 for folktales.

Priscilla taught us a 5-part story structure to use when you’re making up your own stories:

1. Start with a likable character and setting
2. Trouble is coming; there’s a problem
3. What is the trouble?
4. How does the trouble get resolved?
5. What insight did the character learn at the end?

You can find a wealth of resources on Priscilla’s website that includes programs and study guides, bedtime stories, and performances. In addition, Priscilla does Zoom storytimes on Mondays and Wednesdays, Storytime for distant-from-me time zones, and a subscription to silly and soothing bedtime stories.

So jump in and have some fun making up stories with your grandchildren. You’ll strengthen your bond with them and instill in them a love of stories for the rest of their lives.