LATEST STORIES
The Magic of Storytelling
Our 3-5 year olds in the Kiwi Room at BestStart Pyes Pa have shown a real interest in stories and children have been choosing to sit down with friends and go over their favourite picture books. This interest has developed into children acting out some stories and using props or demonstrating with actions, their favourite parts of the story. Some of our children have used our ‘story stones’ to create their own stories with others. I have noticed that the children’s favourite picture books usually contain talking animals who have dramatic ideas or emotions.
Children are developing the understanding that stories can be informative, entertaining, and a great source of delight as well as improving their social/emotional skills. It has also provoked many group discussions around the children’s own responses to danger or strong emotions at mat times.
There has been a lot of socio-dramatic play around hairdressing too after a recent visit from our local hairdresser to style our children’s hair. The family role, themes of looking after babies using dolls seem to happen daily, but recently we have even had some dramatic play around boating and fishing themes outside, which reflects our local environment and the warmer weather.
The socio-dramatic play and interest in stories, has boosted language and social skills enormously. Our children have increased their knowledge of the different ways we can enjoy and create stories and communicate ideas about the world around us.