Once Upon a Time – Customized Tales

Storytelling — what an art! You can instill an appreciation for storytelling at  a very young age by making up stories about someone a child loves … or even about himself!

Jackee Swartz shared this idea with us. She loves to tell her grandkids stories about their father. “Once upon a time there was a little boy named Eric.” She tells them stories about his growing up years, little memories, too. They never get tired of hearing these stories. Sometimes she tells them stories about themselves. It can recall a special memory of something they did together, perhaps something when they were too young to remember. She added, “I also ask them to tell me stories of their interpretations of past fun times together.”

What a great way to pass the time when taking a trip! Let’s try it, “Once upon a time there was a little girl named Amy. She and her sister Hope loved the movie ‘Pete’s Dragon’ and whenever they could they’d sing the song, ‘It’s a Brazzle Dazzle Day!’ One day when they were singing the song ….”

Not only would my granddaughter, Ryan, love hearing that her mom Amy and Aunt Hope were actually little girls one day, too, she just learned this song and loves it, too! (Now we all sing in our three-generation family.)