An Inspiring Story From Mother & Child About Staying at Home
Note: We are reaching out to storytellers, parents, and children all over the world to collect stories that bring a little healing and levity to the coronavirus outbreak. We believe families need tools to help children (and parents) deal with the anxiety and cabin fever, not just the virus. Storytelling is a time-tested way to build safety, intimacy, and creativity in the home.
Visit the Coronavirus Storytelling Home Page
To be clear - these stories, articles, and resources are intended to help parents guide young children and ease anxiety in the household after the serious work of preparation has been done. They are not intended to make light of the illness. While this and other stories can be shared directly with children, we believe you will find the greatest comfort in crafting stories of your own with the help of your child.
This simple story (text below) was crafted by a mother, Marilynn, and her daughter. It is an excellent example of how storytelling builds connection in the family.
After sending us an initial email, Marilynn hesitated to send her story. She wrote:
“I felt nervous after reading other stories that felt way more professional and polished, but this is what I wrote from the interactive story I started with my three (almost four) year old daughter in story time the other evening. The next night, when she initiated story time, she asked to revisit the castle. And now I have some more ideas of what she will love to do today.”
Marilynn, because of you, others will be empowered to share their stories. Thank you for your courage. You hardly realize the impact. It’s profound.
Once there was a princess who lived in a beautiful castle.
She had all of the things she loved –
Her kitties
Her garden
Her books
Her bed
Her art supplies
(my daughter started naming things in our house she loves)
The princess has to stay in her castle because people around the world are getting sick.
And the princess doesn’t want to get sick,
or get anyone sick.
So she decided to stay in her castle and play with what she has until everyone starts feeling better.
But the princess has a beautiful castle with so many things she loves, so what does she want to do in her castle?
(my daughter said she watered her fairy garden, then played a game of hide & seek)
When the mommy was hiding under the bed, and the kitty was hiding under the pillow, the princess teased that she was going to sleep.
And then she did go to sleep.
And so did my daughter.
And then so did I,
filled up with joyful ideas for activities that my daughter would love for tomorrow.
Announcing the 2020 Coronavirus Storytelling Challenge
As politicians and journalists wrestle for control over the story of coronavirus in the media, parents are locked down in a different battle – the story forming in our children’s hearts.
Schools are closing their doors. Parents are feeling anxious. Social distancing and empty shelves have us gasping for normalcy. We need skills for handling the disease, but we also need tools for managing the anxiety that treads in its footsteps.
That’s why we created the 2020 Coronoavirus Storytelling Challenge. As the nation struggles to catch up with the disease, let’s help parents and children connect at home, and take some of the pressure off.
PS - We want stories from parents and kids at home too! Not just storytellers. Share yours!
The Storytelling Loop is a newsletter bringing you tips, science, and real-life examples of how storytelling builds the connection between parent and child. It is a joint project of Silke Rose West and Joseph Sarosy, authors of How to Tell Stories to Children. Originally published in August of 2019, a new edition is due out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2021. You can find more from Joseph Sarosy at Fatherly. Are you involved in storytelling? Join Us.