The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #102528   Message #2078462
Posted By: Mo the caller
16-Jun-07 - 03:50 AM
Thread Name: Storytelling @ B'day parties 5 & under
Subject: RE: Storytelling @ B'day parties 5 & under
"Under 5" is a very big range.
I used to run a playgroup and found that I could read more complicated books to the over 4s. And nowadays that age may be used to school disipline.
I agree that 20mins is a long time for them especially if you have under 3s, baby brothers etc
Under 5s will have their parents present, especially the young ones. Make sure you invovle them, they can be most distracting to you and the children if they sit at the side and chat. Whereas a circle of chairs for adults, with children at their feet or on their laps would be an asset.
I would break things up with a vigourus action song (wheels on the bus, 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed etc)to allow them to move, young children don't have the muscle control to sit still comfortably.

You could use action stories too. Bear hunt is a good one.
Family coach: each child has the name of a character in the story of a family outing, when they hear their name they are supposed to stand up, do an action, sit down again. I remember this from a childhood party, I never tried it at PG. You would have to be careful not to embarass any shy littlies, maybe a group of them could be trees (stand up and wave branches), flowers, grass.

I have done a few children's barn dance parties, they vary according to the adult involvment and excitement levels from a pleasure to a nightmare.

Do you use puppets? That could keep the interest alive, waiting to see which comes out of the bag next, you could let the children hold and move the puppets for you (e.g.3 bears)

Best of luck