As summer unfolds in Bedford, I love finding ways to encourage my kids to stay creative and active while exploring different cultures. Storytelling is a perfect tool to combine both—offering fun adventures while teaching kids about the world around them. Here are some simple ideas to inspire creativity and active play through cultural storytelling this summer.
- Storytelling Through Movement: Pick a story from a different culture that includes elements of dance or movement. For example, after reading a traditional African folk tale or a Latin American story, encourage your kids to act out the characters’ actions, like jumping, spinning, or mimicking animals in the story. This allows them to experience storytelling through physical activity while learning about customs and traditions from around the world.
- Cultural Crafting: After hearing a story from another culture, engage your kids in a craft that ties into the tale. If you tell a Native American story, you can make dreamcatchers or paint rock art. If you share a story from Japan, try origami. These activities inspire creativity and introduce new traditions while allowing them to express their understanding of the culture through art.
- Outdoor Cultural Play: Explore traditional games from other countries. You might try playing “kabaddi” from India or “la cuerda” (the skipping rope game) from Spain. These games get kids moving and active, while offering a glimpse into the playtime traditions of different cultures.
Through storytelling, we can inspire our children to be both creative and active, all while broadening their understanding of the world’s diverse cultures this summer.
