My Own Storytime III and IV

A "Raising Spiritual Children Project" Project


"Let Baha'i children without any exceptions learn the fundamentals of reading and writing and familiarize themselves with the rules of conduct, the customs, practices and laws as set forth in the Book of God; and let them, in the new branches of knowledge, in the arts and technology of the day, in pure and praiseworthy characteristics - Baha'i conduct, the Baha'i way of life - become so distinguished above the rest that all other communities, whether Islamic, Zoroastrian, Christian, Judaic or materialist, will of their own volition and most gladly enter their children in such advanced Baha'i institutions of learning and entrust them to the care of Baha'i instructors." --Shoghi Effendi, (Baha'i Education, pages 297-298)


Here are the second two installments of "My Own Storytime," a collection of ideas to inspire you and your child to create your own stories and books. If your child is too young to write the story down by him or herself, tape record them reciting the tale and write or type it for them afterwards. Sometimes have an older child, or group of children, write stories with the younger ones instead of a parent or adult assisting.

You may want to use a "Simple Blank Book", a special notebook, or stack of hole-punched and laced construction paper, for your stories. The point is to have fun with your kids!

Rebus Example (thumbnail)
(click for larger view)

* My Own Storytime III: "Rubber Stamp Rebus"

A rebus is a story, poem, or rhyme where pictures are substituted for selected words. This is a fun way small children can "read" along with the adult. As a separate craft activity, older kids and teens might enjoy creating the rebus stories for the younger kids. . (See the featured link below to Enchanted Learning if you'd like to see an example of a rebus.)

Select a variety of small rubber stamps. Consider the age of the child when selecting them, try to find stamps that will be easy for them to hold in their hands if they will be doing the stamping themselves. Look for stamps of animals, people, flowers, trees, and other story-like elements -- Nouns. You may wish to buy stamp pads in a few different colors, or use black ink for the images and color them in with colored-pencils.

Use a standard story or rhyme or write a simple story and replace the main characters and some of the other story items with rubber stamp impressions. If the child is already reading, add the written name (or word that the impression is replacing) below the stamp impression. If the child does not read at all yet, pause at each stamp impression when you are reading the story and have the child call out the name of the person, place or thing.

* My Own Storytime IV: "Sticker Book"

Have your child choose from a variety of self-adhesive backed pictures (aka "stickers") and ask them questions like "Who or What is this?" "What should this character's name be?", etc. Place the sticker on a heet of paper or in a special notebook and write the child's answer down beside it. Continue to write down any other comments or stories the child may begin to relate. Add stickers as the story continues.

Note: You may try the Rubber Stamp Rebus idea using multiple copies of stickers if you want to.

*REBUS RHYMES: Mother Goose and others "Rebus Rhymes is designed for children who are learning how to read. Preschoolers and Kindergartners enjoy picking out the words they can read in their favorite nursery rhymes." Go to the Homepage of Enchanted Learning to see more great pages for kids.


Back to:
Past Projects
Featured Raising Spiritual Children Project
Homepage

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page