10 Bedtime Story Starters
Keep it short and sweet:-There is no need for an intricate story with lots of plot twists a la Lost—small kids dont have long attention spans anyway, so pressures off. Just follow this basic structure: problem, problem becomes a big problem, problem gets solved. And dont worry about repeating the same story you told last week—often kids like to hear the same tales repeated.
Tell your childhood favorites:-What did you love to hear when you were your childs age—Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Boy Who Cried Wolf? Chances are, your kids will love these timeless tales too. And while they might be old to you, they are brand-new to your child.
Give the story a moral:-All moms have those challenging days where you swear wild wolves must have raised your child. You disciplined and explained, but a good way to reinforce the lesson is to work it into a story later. If Junior was territorial with his toys that day, craft a story about a boy who hates to let other kids play with his trucks and how he learns to share. Always end on a positive note, with the lesson learned.
Do it together:-The onus to come up with a plotline doesnt need to be just on you. Why not take turns with your child moving the story forward? You get it started, and then ask your kid to take over for a sentence. Go back and forth—you will probably provide more of the story arc—and then bring it on home with a "and they lived happily every after."
Mine your own history:-Kids love hearing about what their parents were like as kids, so dusting off a story of something that happened when you were little is an easy way to find material. Its also reassuring for kids to hear their parents once experienced the same things.
Go Greek:-While your kids probably familiar with the story of the three little pigs, he is probably never heard about the story of Narcissus, who was so full of himself he fell in love with his own reflection. School yourself in a bit of Greek—or Indian or African or Native American—folklore to give you ammunition for a story anytime, anywhere. Some of the myths can be a bit bloody, so tone them down based on your childs age.
Art as inspiration:-A drawing or painting that your kid did can be a nice springboard into a story. Ask your child to explain what is going on in his masterpiece, and then go from there. Your child will be tickled that you brought his artwork to life.
Use an old improv trick:-Ever been to an improvisational comedy show, where the audience is asked to provide the particulars of a scene and then the performers force a scene around it? Steal this trick for your bedtime story. Have your child provide a name, a place and a job, and then you take it from there.
Your child the star:-Kids are all about, well, themselves, so they will love a story starring the same. Give them amazing superpowers or send them on a journey to the moon—you always tell them they can be anything they want to be, right?
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