Using Storytelling to Talk About... Making Relationships: Stories, Poems and Activities to teach and learn in the Early Years

Introduction

About the series

This book is part of the ‘Using storytelling to talk about…’ series which gives teaching practitioners the support and resources to develop and use storytelling and poetry/song performance skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each book has specifically-written short interactive stories and poems/songs that are linked to the three different learning and development areas, ‘Personal, social and emotional development’, ‘Understanding the world’ and ‘Health and self-care’. The prime area ‘Communication and language’ is a running thread throughout all five books.

How to use the series

All the stories and poems/songs deal with issues or experiences that would be familiar to young children. They are short, interactive and simple to perform, with repetitive texts that offer the children the opportunity to respond and join in at their own level of understanding and language development.

The stories and poems/songs can be used in a variety of ways, for example:

as a ‘Let’s have a short story (poem/song)’ session at a set time each day or on a particular day of the week.

as a way to help introduce, support or consolidate a topic or theme.

by choosing a themed story/poem to support or discuss a particular issue, e.g. sharing.

as an assembly or class performance resource.

as a book corner recording for play sessions or quiet time.

How to use this book

This book contains eight themed sections that are linked to different early learning goals listed in the focused learning and development area. Each section has a story or a poem icon to show what type of text it is. Use the contents page to select the theme or type of text that you require.

Each section is divided into the following parts:

A. Teacher’s notes

Theme name: main learning skill or idea focus behind the story or poem/song and accompanying activities.

EYFS learning objectives: relevant early learning goals from the book’s main learning and development area.

What you need: list of resources such as props, images/pictures, puppets and resource sheets.

Before the story or poem/song

Getting ready: tips on what resources to collect, prepare and have ready in advance.

Introducing the story or poem/song: suggestions on how to stimulate the children’s curiosity and imagination about the theme, story or poem, e.g. telling and sharing an experience, introducing a character puppet and using props or images.

Performance suggestions: suggestions on how to tell or perform a story or poem/song, e.g. body movements, use of voice and child participation ideas.

After the story or poem/song

These two parts are designed as springboards for further exploration and discussion about the story or poem/song as well as its theme. They could be carried out straight after the story or poem/rhyme or over several days or weeks.

Ideas to reinforce the theme: discussion ideas, activities and question examples to help consolidate the children’s understanding and response to the story or poem/song and its main theme.

Consolidation activities: interactive activities to reinforce the story or poem/song and its theme, e.g. using puppets, circle games, music, performance ideas, role play, parachute games and display suggestions.

B. The story or poem/song texts

Body and voice actions suggestions are included for some of the stories and poems/songs. As you get to know the stories and poems/songs, you may want to add in your own ideas and actions.

C. Related activities within the learning environment

A mix of child-led and adult–led cross-curricular activities relating to the story or poem/song and its theme. The activities can be carried out within activity stations, play or in specific learning sessions. Areas include: literacy, mathematics, art and craft, environment, small world play.

D. Resource sheets

Most of the stories and poems/songs have character or picture images. These can be copied onto card, laminated and used as puppets or as story support. Other resource sheets include games, activity cards or templates.

Other resources

Storytelling and performance evaluation record

Use this record to self-evaluate your storytelling skills and performance after each of the stories and poems/songs and for future sessions.

Observation suggestions and chart

Use ‘Observation suggestions’ and ‘Observation chart’ as an assessment guide to help you identify and note the developing skills, knowledge and attitudes of individuals or groups of