Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is an art. Everybody can do it and the only way to get better is to practice. So before telling your story, read it over and over so you can tell it with ease. Then feel free to improvise and personalize the story so it becomes your own. If you're telling a Bible story, hold an open Bible. Explain that the story is true and is from God's Word, the Bible. Don't deviate from the facts. Here are some additional tips to improve your storytelling:

1) Eye contact is vital — practice telling the story in your own words instead of reading it. 

2) Let your facial expressions convey the story. 

3) Tell the story facing a mirror; it will let you see what the children are seeing. 

4) Let your voice reflect the emotions in the story. 

5) Practice telling the story and have it recorded; it will let you hear what the children are hearing. 

6) Above all, don’t be discouraged. Like everything else, if you practice, you will get better and, more importantly, you will communicate your story lesson more effectively.

This blog post is taken from the eBook, 101 Hints, Tips & Great Ideas for Children's Ministry. Order it today for just $4.99 at ChristianEdWarehouse.com.

4 comments:

Katrina, Bible Games Blogger said...

You are so right! I've always believed that there's a certain art in storytelling, and you articulated why and how so perfectly. Thanks for all the great advice you gave when it comes to telling a story and making it fun, entertaining, and informative for the kids. I'm going to share your blog post with fellow children's ministers—I'm sure they'll get as much out of it as I did.

Lindsey said...

Great tips, especially holding open the Bible and practicing in front in front of the mirror.

Congrats on making the top 100 Children's Ministry Blogs!

Lindsey @ GrowingKidsMinistry.com

Carol said...

Thanks to both of you. We always appreciate the feedback from our readers!

Glenys Nellist said...

Just visiting your blog for the first time today & I'm glad I did! Telling stories to a young chid might be their very first introduction to the gospel! Thanks for encouraging us in the vital art of story-telling!