Interestingly, my storytelling to children often happens in the bathroom. While that might sound strange, it really isn’t. It’s me, sitting on the bench with three or four children, squished in close. It feels good. We’re waiting for the child on the potty, who is far more interested in hearing what story Jennie will tell.
It wasn’t always this way.
My storytelling started almost accidently during lunchtime at school. Lunchtime is chatty and fun. We learn about each other, share what is happening. We talk about important things, like if girls can marry girls, or what happens to dogs when they die.
This is why I love teaching.
And then, a child asked me something about my childhood. The first thing that came to mind was a story of me as a child in school, and old Dr. Tyler the Peanut Man. I told the story to a captive audience. Storytelling became a highlight of lunchtime. There were many things in my childhood and adulthood that became classic stories. Many.
The storytelling grew branches. There are true, It happened like this… stories, and pretend, Once upon a time… stories. Fairy tales are popular, especially “The Little Red Hen” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
One day in the bathroom, the waiting line was long, so I made up a story on the fly, incorporating all the children who were there. It went something like:
“One day, John was in his bedroom late at night. He heard a sound outside, opened the window, and saw Elaine and Terry. What were his friends doing there under his window at night?”
The story went from there, where all the children were included. Now, children heard every word, because they were part of the story. So, I made sure I used ‘big words’, like massive, interrogating, or decipher. This was big, a captive audience and the perfect opportunity to expand their thinking and introduce them to new words. Yes, chapter reading does this, but it’s a whole different ball of wax when the child is part of the story.
How do I know these bathroom stories make a difference? Ellis. She’s three-years-old. Last week when everyone in the bathroom was asking for a Jennie Story, she interrupted and said she had a story. Ellis wanted to tell a story. This is what she said:
“Once upon a time there was a boy named jack-o-lantern. He lived in the woods. There was a scary bear in the woods.”
Jennie, just squeeze my finger if you get scared.
“The dinosaur was in the woods. He came and bit someone. A penguin came along and bit someone, too. The boy played and was just laughing. The light bugs were working in the forest, looking for the dinosaur and bear.” ~The End~
I couldn’t grab a pen fast enough to write down the story Ellis told. Not only was she fully vested in the Jennie Stories, especially those told in the bathroom, she was able to make up her own. That is remarkable. That is what happens when words and stories are part of school and part of children’s lives every day.
The more words a child hears, the better s/he will do in school.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
As always, a delightful read. My 4 year-old grandson recently made up a story that bears were chasing the car, as we drove along. (We have no bears in Britain) Then he too included a dinosaur, at the end.
“It’s alright now. The dinosaur ate the bear so he can’t chase us.”
Two small children, an ocean apart, the same idea. Fascinating.
Best wishes, Pete.
I love this! Yes, two children an ocean apart and the same story. Definitely fascinating! Best to you, Pete.
Have you ever thought about getting your children to write stories and then make it into a book? A keepsake for them.
Yes! 🙂
What a fantastic idea!
You are just amazing, Jennie! And telling stories is one of the best ways to get a child learning!
Awww… that’s so nice, Ritu. 😊 Yes, storytelling is a great pathway to learning! 😍
🥰🙏🏽💜
I just came back from a conference for World Language teachers. (I teach German.) What you say about teaching Kindergartners is the same strategy for older students learning a new language. I love the comparisons. Yes, to storytelling. Yes to story writing.
That is most interesting, Cindy. And, it makes perfect sense. The comparison is spot on. I second your yes to storytelling and to story writing. Thank you!
Beautiful post again, Jennie. How wonderful it is for both you and the children to
share all this magic and growth.
I am also a believer in story telling both in our homes and schools.
Miriam
Thank you, Miriam. Sharing this magic and growth with children is the best part of teaching. I’m glad you are a believer in storytelling. Thirty five years has made me a believer, too. 🙂
Another home run, Jennie!
Thank you, Mary Kay! 😀
Hi Jennie. Thanks for this Tuesday morning fun. Hmmm… maybe my NaNoWriMo story needs a dinosaur… 😉 Hugs on the wing.
Haha! A dinosaur is ever popular. Hugs!
😀
This is such a wonderful story, Jennie. You are a great role model for these kids to follow. Hopefully, they never forget the power of their imagination.
Thank you very much, Dan. I truly hope these children will be empowered by imagination.
So many forces in life would have us bottle up our imagination. You’re giving them permission to use it.
What a lovely thing to say! 🙂
How wonderful! I love the stories children make up and share… they say so much about their lives as well as their imagination.
Yes, their stories are wonderful! If I can keep the doors of imagination open, that is good! Thank you, Sue.
I thnk you are opening doors for them, Jennie.
Thank you, Sue. 🙂
It’s so reassuring to know I’m not the only one out there with a “fascinating” existence, Jennie.
Keep up the good work; you’re a hero to these little ones.
Fascinating (or crazy) would definitely define me with the Mermatrons. Yes, they sucked / bribed / somehow talked me into being some sort of a wedding dancer singer. I picked the best songs (from the 60’s of course), costumes (like the white cat eye rhinestone ones), and… we went on stage. This was for their children’s wedding party. The first performance the audience asked for an encore. 😳 I think my passion for embracing the moment, and turning that into a great learning experience for children, probably describes me. I will always champion for children, Hook. Best to you!
I love that visiting the bathroom is also a productive part of the day. Some great stories have come out of there!
I love that, too! Thanks, Darlene.
I love the part about squeezing your finger!
Yes!! That was the best part. 🙂
Yes!!
😀
Wonderful examples of how our actions can affect the children!
Well said, Becky!
Stories were such a natural part of my daughter’s life that when she was three she turned to me and said as an opening “back in the beginning when it was just God and the three bears…”
Wow! That is just wonderful, Elizabeth. What a story, out of the mouth and mind of a child.
It has always made me smile.
😀
That’s a fun story! A wonderful example of how telling stories move forward and onward.
Exactly! Thank you, Deborah.
How rewarding it must be for you to hear children making up their own stories!
Oh, yes! It is very rewarding. 🙂 Thank you, Magarisa.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
Such a nice post Jennie. I make up stories and tell my son when I walk him home from school. I truly treasure those moments.
It’s the best! Keep it up, you will not only build memories, your son will get a big dose of language and imagination which is a pathway to academic success. You’re doing so many good things, Deepa.
Thank you Jennie. I will keep doing it for as long as I can.
Wonderful!
Okay, okay…but I want to know if you had to squeeze Ellis’ finger?
She gave it to me, just in case. Really. I didn’t have to squeeze it, but she had it ready. It was wonderful!!
A fun post, Jennie.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, John.
Oh the wonder of words! Storytelling is a captivating way to bring that wonder alive for children, Jennie–and you do it so well! 🙂
You said it well, Bette. Words and storytelling bring children great imagination and wanting to know more. Thank you!
Hugs!
😍
Please tell Ellis that I liked her story very much.
I will, Liz. Thank you.
Thank you!
🙂
I totally agree to, Jennie! Its learning by doing, as its best. Michael
Exactly!
Aww – this is so sweet!! I love how your bathroom stories inspired Ellis to tell her own story – bravo, Ellis!! 😍
Thanks, Sarah. And, a big bravo to Ellis. 🙂
I never met a child who wasn’t captivated by great storytelling. Perhaps it has something to do with giving children some freedom the weave in their own visual imaginations as they listen. Thank you for sharing.
I think you’re exactly right. Thank you, Tina.
What a lovely story, Jennie. Michael used to be like this and that is how we came to write the Sir Chocolate books.
Yes, of course Michael would be like that. How wonderful to know that’s what helped him write the Sir Chocolate books.