Story Mapping for Exploring Stories in Early Years & Foundation

Expressive Explorers was founded to make storytelling more engaging and active, but in a way that would allow nursery staff to learn and gain confidence in using drama techniques to bring the story alive for the children.

The Story Map is designed in a poster format and displayed on a wall so the reader doesn’t get hidden behind a book; this allows them to have more eye contact with their audience and to encourage them to join in actions, whilst working together. This active engagement helps the children to remember the story.

On visiting our first nursery, the moment the first Story Map went up on the wall, children gathered around and immediately started talking about it. This made me realise that my aim of engaging children in stories through the Story Map would be possible and enjoyable.

Our current stories are based on traditional tales, so there is no need to memorise a long script; the storyteller can use their own words to go with the pictures, or use one of our suggested scripts as a guide. Each story has been carefully chosen to contain repetition so the children can quickly pick it up and anticipate what may happen next. The storyteller can encourage the children to join in by repeating phrases, using actions and playing the different characters. This could also lead to a performance of the story to parents.

The Story Map is a large visual aid, designed to remind the storyteller where they are in the story and what comes next. Working closely with script writer, Claire Hills, and illustrator, Lauren Lister, we designed bright colourful Story Maps to show each scene in our story. Printed on durable material, the Story maps can easily be stored and used again in the future without risk of damage.

Story Mapping with Expressive ExplorersWith repeated storytelling, the children gain more confidence in exploring the different characters, their feelings and emotions. They are able to start retelling the story in their own words, using the Story Map as a guide. If the Story Map is displayed in the role play area, you will often find them acting out scenes from the story.

Expressive Explorers visit nurseries, playgroups and schools to deliver their storytelling workshops; staff are encouraged to participate fully in the workshop, so they gain a good knowledge of the story and the delivery techniques. They are then left with a Story Map and resource book so they can continue to explore the story with the children in their setting. As well as suggestions for the storytelling, we include a movement based activity, song and visual arts activities that all linked to the story.
A group observation of one of our workshops demonstrates that our delivery reaches many areas of the Statutory Early Years & Foundation Stage Framework:

Date: 03-Nov-2017

Notes

Expressive Explorers came to nursery to tell the story of Stone Soup with groups of children. Inaaya was very excited to join in and to take part in acting out what happens in the story. They followed the adult’s direction and instructions as they went through the story. They all seemed to enjoy doing the actions and were happy to take part. Aaniyah answered questions and put her hand up to say what she thought would happen next. Hafsah knew the stone stayed in the pot. They could recall what happened so far when the adult asked them. Inaaya said ” the soup will be juicy and delicious.” They all showed high levels of concentration and excitement during the activity.

Next steps

To continue joining in with new activities.

Observed by

LS

Aspects contributed to by this experience:

Beginning to move rhythmically.
Expressive arts and design>Media and materials>30-50 months
Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (e.g. using and, because).
Communication and language>Speaking>30-50 months
Confident to talk to other children when playing, and will communicate freely about own home and community.
PSE development>Self-confidence + awareness>30-50 months
Enjoys rhyming and rhythmic activities.
Literacy>Reading>30-50 months
Imitates movement in response to music.
Expressive arts and design>Media and materials>30-50 months
Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories.
Literacy>Reading>30-50 months
Listens to and joins in with stories and poems, one-to-one and also in small groups.
Literacy>Reading>30-50 months
Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping.
Physical development>Moving and handling>30-50 months
Sings a few familiar songs.
Expressive arts and design>Media and materials>30-50 months
Welcomes and values praise for what they have done.
PSE development>Self-confidence + awareness>30-50 months