Choosing Story Teaching Methods

By Barry McWilliams
  • NARRATION: Narration is best when the stories are simple with familiar elements

  • PARTICIPATION: To get children more actively involved with the story or to fix certain elements of it in their minds. Participation may be verbal using "chants" (the children repeating after the leader); or in the children "acting out" portions of the story; or having a "conversation" with the children as you tell it.

  • VISUAL AIDS: Best when the story includes unfamiliar elements or the stories are more complicated. Sometimes a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Be careful that visual aids do not distract attention from the story. Keep interest through anticipation of what will be seen next.

  • CHARACTER STORIES: (Focused on the storyteller or a puppet as a character) These are best where vicarious involvement or role-playing will help deliver the point or to express inner thoughts and the thinking process.

  • DRAMATIC: Best for illustrating application or where multiple characters have significant roles.

    For more on Storytelling technique and method, see Story Telling in Church Situations

    © 1991 Barry McWilliams and Mission Church Fellowship, Hypertext Version © 1996 Barry McWilliams
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