Introduction

Storytelling is an essential skill for children to develop as they grow. It helps them express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences while also improving their communication abilities. The Background Brief concept focuses on teaching PreK students to provide enough information to their listeners for a better understanding of their stories. By including crucial details, children can ensure their listeners stay engaged and avoid confusion. In this blog post, we will explore an easy-to-implement no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help your students improve their storytelling abilities.

No-Prep Activity: Picture Storytelling

This no-prep activity is designed to help your students practice using the Background Brief concept in their storytelling. The activity is called Picture Storytelling and requires no additional materials or preparation from the educator.

1. Begin by asking your students to sit in a circle.
2. Select a student to start the activity. The chosen student will then think of a story they want to share with the group.
3. Before the student starts telling their story, remind them to use the Background Brief concept. They should provide the following information to their listeners: When it happened, Who they were with, What happened, and Where they went.
4. Once the student has shared their story, ask the next student in the circle to share a story, following the same guidelines.
5. Continue the activity until all students have had a chance to share a story.

This activity encourages students to practice using the Background Brief concept in a fun and engaging way. As they listen to their peers’ stories, they will also develop their listening skills and learn to appreciate the importance of providing sufficient information to their listeners.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Picture Storytelling activity, use these discussion questions to further encourage your students to think about the importance of the Background Brief concept:

• Why is it important to provide enough information when telling a story?
• How did using the Background Brief concept help you understand the stories better?
• Can you think of a time when someone told you a story, and you felt confused because they didn’t provide enough information? How did that make you feel?
• What other situations might require you to use the Background Brief concept?
• How can you practice using the Background Brief concept in your everyday conversations?

Related Skills

Teaching the Background Brief concept not only helps students improve their storytelling abilities but also contributes to the development of other essential skills. These related skills include:

• Active Listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and asking relevant questions to ensure understanding.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can be enhanced through storytelling and listening to others’ experiences.
• Self-expression: Effectively communicating thoughts, feelings, and experiences to others.
• Public Speaking: Developing the confidence to speak in front of a group, which can be practiced through storytelling activities.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about the Background Brief concept and its importance in improving storytelling skills, it’s time to put it into practice with your PreK students. To explore more activities and resources related to the Background Brief concept and other essential skills, sign up for free samples at Everyday Speech. These materials will provide you with additional tools to help your students develop their social-emotional learning skills, ensuring their success in and out of the classroom.