Healthy Foundations for Literacy, Imagination, Oral tradition and Play

Mar�a del Rosario Villasana-Ruiz

Children’s Council of San Francisco, USA

Summary

"Storytelling helps young children with their inherent tribal instincts to begin to hold a vision of well-being for themselves and the whole earth.  It can help them experience the fundamental security of belonging to an extended family." -- Storytelling with Children by Nancy Mellon, Hawthorn Press.

Historically, listening to stories filled with rich images and language has provided a foundation of literacy for the young child. While reading a book to a child on the lap is important, it is equally important that the heritage of storytelling not be lost. Through the use of various types of simple puppets and the demonstration of techniques to set a beautiful stage and mood, conferees will be encouraged to use these techniques in their work with young children. Different approaches for the different ages of children will be demonstrated.

Introduction to concepts

The Critical Role of Storytelling, Puppetry, and Poetry for Language and Literacy Acquisition

* historic role of the troubadour
����� ��������� * rhyme and rhythm support memory
������ �������� * repetition supports healthy neurological development
����� ��������� * building vocabulary, syntax

������ �������� * richness of language, love of the word
������ �������� * children learn through context
������ �������� * children learn through personal relationship

Circle as Story

Building up a story includes conscious intentionality to transform the basic elements into an engaging mystery.� Preparation is key to weaving the story, movement, music and props into a seamless unity.� Learning the story allows one to have a personal relationship to the story, to become freely immersed in the story, a story in movement that invites the children on the journey.

Basics

��������������� * selecting stories & poems; age appropriate and responsive to the group

��������������� * quality of props, materials and construction

��������������� * set up of the story environment

��������������� * environment story is told in, preparing the space

��������������� * timing, when do you tell the story

Soul quality

��������������� * watch for the mystery in the story and draw it out

��������������� * gesture & movement convey meaning

��������������� * tone of voice sets a mood, consider the voice as an instrument

��������������� * pace & tempo; pauses and flow of words creates an aural quality and allows the child space to absorb what they are seeing & hearing

��������������� * musicality, emphases on musical quality of the story is joy to a child

Ages and Stages Demonstrations

Infant story�

������������ �Basic care routines� are an excellent time for verses, poems, gesture, and rhyme

Toddlers and two’s

������������ Nursery Rhymes are a natural for this age group, they provide repetition and sing song silly mysteries to enjoy and build a story around

Preschool and Kindergarten

��������������� �Storytelling with Puppetry for children ages 31/2 to 6�

"Poetry concerns the speech sense, and it allows a unique form of human expression.  With poetry, language is uplifted to the spirit realm, where it exists not as mere words or concepts, but as pure action.  The language becomes alive and real.  It does rather than means."  -- Freeing the Soul From Fear by Robert Sardello, Riverhead Books

Rosario Villasana-Ruiz, M.A., is a Child Development Specialist at the Children’s Council of San Francisco, Instructor at City College of SF in one of the State Preschool programs, LifeWays Consultant and works with the Caldwell Early Life Center at Rudolf Steiner College.� In the Early Childhood Education field for 27 years Rosario has worked in a number of capacities; as an administrator, teacher, lecturer and presenter.� Her primary focus is the Birth to 7 year old child.� Focus areas include; Literacy through Play, Creativity and Oral traditions, the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers, The Impact of Media on the Young Child, Environments for Children, Dance and Movement Education, Sensory Integration and Brain Development, and Resource Development for Spanish Trainers. She is particularly interested in children this age range as this is a critical stage setting the foundation for future learning and quality of life. During this period Family Support and Parenting is an important service and an essential aspect for successful programs.��