This article will tell you what are story cards, how to use story cards for storytelling and what are the benefits of using story cards. Its a teacher guided interactive storytelling activity for children. If you are a parent or educator and looking for different strategies to engage your child in interactive learning activities then read further to learn more.
What are story cards?
Story cards are reusable palm-sized cards with vibrant colours and engaging illustrations.
They could be made of thick hard board so the cards are sturdy. Alternately thin but laminated cards are also long-lasting.
Illustrations are printed on story cards which act as prompts or visual cues for storytelling. If you are a teacher who wants a guided interactive storytelling activity for children then story cards will be an appropriate aid.
Also read: Books for Babies Complete guide
Who can use story cards?
These types of cards are useful to engage preschool, kindergarten toddlers and elementary section kids, creatively.
Older children, writers and families can use story cards too.
Story cards are used in middle-grade for drama and creative writing class.
Writers can use story cards as writing prompts to overcome writer’s block.
Family time can be fun by using story cards to bring everyone together and make interesting stories.
What prompts do the story cards have?
So to capture the attention of the elementary kids, cards must have vivid colours and imaginative pictures or illustrations.
Such types of illustrated and colourful cards have the power to spark a child’s imagination.
The images could be of things, places, people, animals, birds, indoor scenes or a variety of outdoor scenes.
Additionally, illustrations can have adventure, mystery, actions and show emotions. For instance, Happy or sad etc.
In short, the illustrations represent various story elements.
Such type of teaching aids can bring a shift from instructional teaching to giving control to students by actively using their creative imagination.
Cards meant for writers have written prompts using story elements.
How exactly can you use story cards for storytelling?
Story cards are helpful interactive tools, used multiple times to make unique stories using different cards every time.
Here are a few steps:
1. Gather a set of story cards:
You can purchase a set online or create your own by printing pictures and pasting them on handy cardboard pieces.
You must choose cards with vibrant colours and imaginative images to captivate the child’s attention.
Once you have your cards ready, it’s time to start the storytelling session.
2. Display cards and choose them.
Sit down with the child or a group of children and spread out the cards in front of them on a table or the floor. Encourage the children to look at the cards and choose one that’s interesting.
You could tell them to choose only 5 cards or 7 cards and make a story within these prompts.
Also read: Indian Chapter Books
3. Ask questions
Next, ask the child to describe the picture on the card. Ask them open-ended questions that will make them think critically.
Questions like, “What do you see in this picture?” or “What do you think is happening?” will make the child give their opinion.
It will help them observe and think about possible storylines. After discussing the picture, ask the child to create a story based on the card they chose based on the card they chose.
Let their creativity and imagination take the lead.
Also read: How to Tell Stories to Kids
4. Pick different cards each time.
By shuffling the cards and drawing them at random, you are less likely to fall into predictable patterns and more likely to discover fresh and exciting concepts.
If some cards are not there but your child imagines the scenes then let the child go with the flow of imagination.
This interactive and hands-on approach to storytelling can provide hours of fun and learning for children of all ages.
How to purchase right story cards?
To use story cards effectively, it’s important to possess cards that are visually appealing and age-appropriate for the children you are working with.
Look for cards that have clear and detailed illustrations to spark curiosity and encourage storytelling.
Make sure you choose story cards which have illustrations of familiar elements so the child can get a context.
Have a mix of elements required for making a story, such as characters, scenery or place, actions of the characters, emotional expressions, some objects/props or supporting characters.
Storytelling Card Game
This game is for pre-schoolers and kindergarten kids. The manufacture is Creative Educational Aids. The bright colourfully illustrated cards are of thick cardboard. Playing this story card game is good for developing observation, concentration, logical thinking, sequencing, social skills and vocabulary.
There are several combinations of card games available and they are easy to carry anywhere during travel or use in birthday parties. These are 100% environmentaly friendly and Made in India products. Its a thoughtful educational game, good for gifting or personal use. They can also be used in school libraries, classrooms and pediatricians.
What are the Benefits of using story cards?
- Enhancing creativity
- Interactive and engaging activity
- Improving language skills
- Fostering imagination
- Promoting critical thinking in children
- Helps writers overcome writer’s block
- Create unique stories
- Develop vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling abilities.
- Express thoughts and ideas coherently
- Think outside the box
- Make decisions and think critically
- Release pent-up ideas
- Create an outlet for the child to speak
- Bring an element of surprise and randomness
- Great classroom/library activity
- Useful for speech therapy
Conclusion
After reading this write-up, you know what are story cards. Besides this, you know that story cards are a simple yet powerful tool for storytelling in the classroom, library and at home.
Story cards encourage creativity, imagination, and language development in children, making them an excellent resource for educators, and parents.
Using story cards for storytelling can be an enjoyable process with multiple benefits for teacher guided interactive storytelling activity for children