Effective communication skills are essential for success! You can help your kids improve their communication skills through storytelling strategies. There are several unique tips you can try, from encouraging active listening to practicing public speaking, that will take your child’s communication skills to the next level.
Play Storytelling Games
Playing storytelling games can be a fun and effective way to improve communication skills through storytelling. For example, you can play a game where each person takes turns adding a sentence to a story, or you can have your kids act out a scene from a story they’ve read or created.
These activities can help your kids practice their storytelling skills in a low-pressure, fun environment. Plus, these games are perfect for long car rides, family vacations, or Sunday afternoon playtime.
How to Use Story Coins for Building Communication Skills
1- Family story
Create a personalized story of your family. Each family member takes 2-3 coins from the bag. Then, take turns adding a sentence or two to a story about your family, using the images on your coins as inspiration. For example, a coin with a spaceship could mean you wanted to be an astronaut as a kid or you know the constellations in the night sky.
2- I went to the story and bought…..
This classic game uses Story Coins to add a level of challenge. Each person gets a chance to pull a coin and say what they got from the store. The catch is you must remember what the players before you bought, too. For example, you pull a coin with a cat on it. You might say, “I went to the store and bought food for my cat.” Then, you add on what other people said, “and purple paint, a camping tent, and fresh flowers.”
3- Would you rather?
This game gets wild but super fun. Have players take turns pulling a coin from the bag and using the image to inspire their “would you rather” question. For example, an elephant coin might be “would you rather ride on the back of an elephant or be carried in the trunk?”.
4- In my hand I have ….
This game is all about descriptive words! Pull a coin from the bag and use the image to inspire something that is hiding in your hand (or box, depending on how big you want to go). The goal is to use as many descriptive words and phrases as possible (without saying what the object is) so the other players can guess what you have. This works great as a team game. For example, a seahorse coin could be, “in my hand I have a sea creature who is small, has a pointy nose, lays eggs, has the name of something you can ride” and so forth.
5- And then…. But then…
With this version of a group story, each player must start their sentence with the phrase “and then” or the phrase “but then”. Have one player start as usual and then let the fun begin. For example, you pull out a birthday cake coin and say “It was my 11th birthday and I was excited for my party.” The next person pulls out a dog coin and says “and then my parents surprise me with a new puppy.”
Enhance Communication Skills with Visual Aids
Adding visual aids and props can make storytelling more engaging, memorable, and fun. Encourage your kids to use props like puppets, costumes, or even simple movements to help bring their stories to life.
They can also use pictures or videos to help illustrate their points and make their stories more interesting. This can help them capture their audience’s attention and make their stories more impactful.
Practice Active Listening and Questioning
One of the most important aspects of effective communication is active listening. Encourage your kids to listen attentively to others when they are speaking. Have them ask open-ended questions to show that they are engaged and interested in the conversation.
This will help them build stronger relationships and improve their ability to communicate well with others. Additionally, practicing active listening can help them develop better storytelling skills by allowing them to better understand the perspectives and experiences of others.
Try Storytelling Events
Attending storytelling events and workshops can be a great way to improve your communication skills and storytelling abilities. These events often feature experienced storytellers who can share tips and techniques for crafting compelling stories.
Additionally, attending these events can help you connect with other storytellers and build a supportive community. Look for storytelling events or workshops in your local area or online.
Read and Write Regularly
The more you read, the better you become at writing. The more you write, the better you become at reading. Encourage your kids to read books, articles, and other written materials that interest them regularly.
Encourage them to write stories, essays, and other types of written content. This helps them practice writing skills and develop their unique voice and style. Most importantly, model reading and writing for your kids. They will do what you do.
