Telling a story to the pack is one of the most rewarding parts of the Cub program. Sitting around the campfire and looking at the young, open faces, the mischiefs and the quiet, as they wait for you to share an experience, sow a new idea or a moral thought should inspire all Scouters "to do their best". When children are being helped to explore, to think and to understand, adults are always challenged, particularly those who work with the Cub age.
Much of our history is available because of the stories which have been passed on from generation to generation. In the era of the caveman, stories were told by means of etching on the walls of the cave. Early folk tales helped explain life to the listeners. Storytellers used to enjoy the patronage of kings and nobles. They wrote ballads describing important events and told or sang them for the entertainment of guests. The art of storytelling has progressed with man's ability to express himself more fluently.
Many new Scouters feel apprehensive at the thought of telling a story. This is an unnecessary reaction. Everyone can tell a story. We do it everyday. When you give your children simple instructions, describe your day's work or discuss the news on your coffee break, you are telling a story.
If you have never told a story to your pack, there is only one personal characteristic necessary to make this a possibility. Determination. If you are determined to tell a story you can do it. You may be very nervous and forget to make a point or leave out part of the story, but this really doesn't matter. The next time will be easier. Start with a very brief tale about a small animal on a short journey to see the world. Perhaps you could tie this in with the nature articles the Cubs find.
The Cub Leaders' Handbook, Section 20, page 237 gives you some information on how to tell stories and where to find them.
This article is planned to give you a few simple hints that will help you to realize that you can tell your Cubs stories. It is as easy as talking to a friend, because that is exactly what you are doing. You are talking to 20 - 30 small friends and they want to hear what you have to say.
If you are enthusiastic about the fact you have something to tell, you will tell your story and sound sincere. You must capture each child in the first two or three sentences. Their concentration will boost your self-confidence. If you don't feel you are a champion storyteller then keep your story simple.
Smile when telling a story. A smile will brighten your face and soon be reflected on each child's face. You will relax and enjoy yourself. The children will realize that you like to tell them stories and they will be happy. As you tell a story to your Cubs, show your real interest in them. They respond to this.
As you consider what subject should be the basis or theme for your story, you learn more about yourself. Some Cub leaders only tell nature stories, some prefer fables and legends with a historical background and others find themselves constantly choosing a story with a moral.
The best plan is to tie your story in with the theme of your meeting or test-work and change the type of story you tell. The attention span of the 8 to 11-year old child is so variable you should always keep your stories short and never tell the pack a ten minute story. You must remember to TELL your story, not read it! This is how you make a personal contact with each child and a magic feeling of unity as you live the story with them.
The importance of visual aids in education is brought to our attention everyday and we should keep our methods of teaching as up to date as possible. Whenever it improves your story, use a flip board for drawing, a flannel-graph or perhaps just pictures.
>From the earliest days of picture writing to our present day, cartoons, stories and drawings have fit together. Children love simple stick figure drawings with a magic marker, such as George Feter did. You can create a story with participation in the drawings and with the content. If your pack is sitting in a campfire, in sixes, you could give each six a paper and heavy pencil... begin to tell a story about two boys going for a walk and have each six draw stick figures and then finish the story in picture form. You will end up with four or five stories each portraying where the walk took the children and what they saw. By using this method of storytelling you have sparked their imagination and excited them, by encouraging their creativity.
Another form of storytelling greatly enjoyed by this age group is accomplished with the use of a flannel-graph..To make a flannel-graph you will need a piece of masonite or heavy cardboard about two feet by three feet. You must cover this board with very heavy flannel. You will also require some lightweight flannel and from this you cut forms of all the main characters and objects mentioned in your story. This light flannel comes in a variety of colours. Distribute the flannel to the Cubs or keep them for your own use. As your story unfolds the characters are placed on the flannel-graph. Everyone enjoys this method of illustration.
Sometimes it is fun to make up your own story to fit a special need in your pack. Children are inevitably going to get into trouble, and sometimes be punished. Stories that tell happily and gently of such experiences can help a child understand that he is not bad, even when he has displeased his parents. In selecting stories be sure the characters are forgiven and loved and not treated too harshly.
Always remember that whether the fun and laughter come from the repetition of words that amuse or surprise, or from the nonsense of the story or poem, it is mentally healthy for children and adults to laugh together. NO DELIGHTFUL STORY OR POEM SHOULD EVER BE SPOILED BY POINTING OUT THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED, for doing that reveals the lack of faith the storyteller has in his audience.
Whenever possible, try to give your story an exciting or imaginative start to capture their immediate attention. The body of your story should be colourful, be simple, sincere where applicable, and should move quickly. In the closing paragraph of your story bring out the main thought of the tale in short, simple words, don't moralize.
The word STORY can be used to illustrate the main points to be remembered.
S: When telling a story keep the content SIMPLE and SHORT! As the storyteller you should always be SINCERE and SMILE to show your pleasure in being with them.
T: A story that is TOLD is much more effective than one that is read.
O: You should always have an OBJECTIVE when telling a story. You may wish to emphasize the theme of the meeting or some particular test work; inject a bit of fun into a busy meeting; correct some little behaviour problem. These are all good reasons for a story. Another excellent reason is that everyone enjoys a well-told tale!
R: Your story could be the RUDDER of your meeting used to steer your Cubs to some definite thought, idea or educational point.
Y: A YARN is a story, but a yarn is also one of the threads of which a rope is composed. Therefore a yarn of story plus games and test work gives us the rope of Cub programs.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY STORYTELLING!
Mrs. Peace was a Guider and more recently a Beaver leader with the 81st Hamilton. Her husband Gord is a long-time Scouter and son Dan is the director of training for the Greater Toronto Region.
Last edited: February 22, 2004
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