STUDY GUIDE HBEC3603 Childhood Literature 2: Malaysian Folktales

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Topic 10: Folktales and Storytelling Techniques

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Incorporate folktales in storytelling;

2. Develop the techniques of storytelling in the early childhood literacy setting; and

3. Discuss the importance of storytelling in early childhood literacy.

Topic Overview

This topic focuses on storytelling techniques. Storytelling is a way of

conveying events through words, images and sounds. There may be some

form of improvisation or embellishment when narrating about something that really happened or based on imagination. Storytelling is considered a part of extensive reading and “book sharing”.

Focus Areas and Assigned Readings

Focus Areas Assigned Readings

10.1 The importance of storytelling

10.2 Teacher as a storyteller

10.3 Preparations to tell stories to children

10.4 Storytelling techniques

Storytelling in the early years.Retrieved from http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/storytelling-in-the-early-years-1137

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/assets/0000/0865/Storytelling_tips.pdf

http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/education/SRresources/earlyyearsstarter.pdf

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Content Summary

10.1 The importance of storytelling

Encourages speaking and listening skills;

Fuels the imagination;

Delivers the moral of the story;

Incorporates active participation; and

Is a unique way of developing understanding.

10.2 Teacher as a storyteller

Encourages imagination;

Shows enthusiasm for the stories;

Uses full voice;

Transforms body language; and

Uses appropiate language.

10.3 Preparations to tell stories to children

About the story book

Use illustrated books with a good plot and written in childlike perspective.

Choose the right title of the book.

Pre-reading

Practice makes perfect.

(a) Reread the book you intend to use.

(b) Get familiarised with the book, characters, etc.

Get ready with the book - no guessing and memorising.

Flexible storyline

(a) Skip the unnecessary long sections.

(b) Change the phrases of the story.

Record the story.

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Reading the story

Start with the set induction - show the book cover and discuss.

When the story ends, observe the children’s reaction.

10.4 Storytelling techniques

Traditional methods

No props used.

Body language and tone of voice are the priority.

Encourage children’s participation in retelling the story.

Using rhyme

Assisted with familiar “phrases/motions” such as “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats….”

Use sound effects like “bang, bang”.

Focus on the main character

The storyteller acts and dramatises the actions of the main character.

Use felt board

Use felt shapes when telling the stories until the end.

Study Questions

1. Visit the library and select as many Malaysian folktales as you can. Then, write a summary about the story, and provide the following information:

Title, author, date published, publisher

Origin

Theme

Comment about the illustrations

Discussion on any questions you may have when you read the story.

Activities that can be used with the stories

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Overall comments about the book. For example, language used, number of pages, level of difficulty and so on.

2. Select two folktales and then create a storyboard for each of them. Make sure the storyboards are visually appealing to the children.

3. What are other creative techniques of storytelling apart from the above mentioned ones? Discuss.