Name of Activity:. Creating A Story Through Song (by Matt Siri)

Category:. : Do You Hear What I Hear

Props: Guitar, toy characters, pictures of events or people

Your Role: Travel guide and coach

Directions: Present the child with toy characters or pictures of events, ask them to create a story that involves these characters, and put the story into song. If the child has trouble getting started, suggest some possibilities for a story line and words for the song. 1 et the child go in any direction, and see what kind of ideas he or she comes up with. Ask the child why they picked that story am how they came up with it, or what it means to them. Ask them if they felt it easier to come up with ideas while the music was playing or if the music didn't help.

Goals for You: See if the child includes music in their imaginary processes, and if it helps them to be more creative

Goals for Children: To be creative and create a song using the toys and pictures, or whatever images come to them

Possible Strategy:

What to say "Today we're going to make up a song. Let's think of something fun to sing about, and then make up more words to the song as we go along."

What to do: : : Let the child's creativity take them away and see where they end up. Don't discourage any possibilities, and encourage them to use whatever comes to their mind.

Possible Shaping:

What to say "What kind of story comes to your mind when you play with these toys? How did you make up your story? Do you hear the music when you're making up the story?"

What to do: : Encourage them not to be shy about singing. Sing along with them.

Possible Ending:

What to say: "That was a great song. I had lots of fun making it up with you.'

What to do: Take note of the content of their story and how they came up with the ideas.