Get in touch
enquiries@lifeslittlebugs.co.uk
THE POWER OF STORY TELLNG
Tina stubbs • Jan 13, 2020
I'm gonna tell you a story...
My most memorable introduction to storytelling was through a teacher called Mr Rooney. He was a true master, rather like a conductor with an orchestra, building up-tempo and rhythm, emotion and suspense. The Irish ghost stories he told had his class of eight-year old's full attention and on the edge of their seats
His Irish tones effortlessly conjured up images of shrieking banshees and ghostly horse-drawn carriages dressed in funeral finery. I was totally mesmerised as he relayed his native folktales, which no doubt was told to him as a child and many generations before him. His ability to bring the stories to life just through expression and speech was truly magical.
The characters and scenes he described swirled in front of me before disappearing into the ethos as another image quickly replaced it. With no help of any device or VR headset. I was virtually reliving what he said by just using my own imagination!
OK, so in today's' education system Mr Rooney may well have got into trouble for telling some of the darker tales, but he did make a huge positive impact on me and at times scared the living daylights out of me too! But having experienced the powerfulness of storytelling, I do know it to be an effective way to relate and explain situations to kids.
So next time you're struggling to bring up a subject because it's going to be a task to engage the child, or it is a bit delicate. Remember it doesn't have to be all about using similes or metaphors to explain it, how about using pictures or make up a play with puppets and props?
BOOKSTORE
There's a lot to be said with this age-old tradition to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons. We've seen the evidence of it since the beginning of time drawn on cave walls and embroidered into magnificent tapestries.
If you would like some support building a child's healthy habits then visit our Life's Little Bugs store for our healthy habit books!
Introducing Growth Mindset to Corinna Care Home with Hum Bug
We are excited to announce Life's Little Bugs, five new online interactive workshops for 2021.
We successfully piloted our online workshops with many Berkshire schools over three months with Get Berkshire Active and Berkshire School Games' support and received positive feedback.
For teachers, nannies, childminders and homeschoolers to teach essential healthy habits. Children 5-8yrs. A good Covid recovery plan resource.
We’ve taken Life’s Little Bugs ethos outside to teach children respect, self-care, and healthy living in nature.
Lockdown has bought awareness of many things, with around 70% of us living in urban areas, our parks and green spaces have never felt so important for our mental & physical health.
Having studied with the Open University for six years, Linda attained an Honours degree in Psychology. This enabled her to become a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society. She is also a member of the Society of Authors and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Linda has a keen interest in Mental Health issues, particularly where these issues are affecting children of primary school age, and this is why she wrote her book. Inspired by tales of woodland animals told to her by her father as a child, Arty the Bear was created.
Washing hands has become a new mantra. Life's Little Bugs has always encouraged this healthy habit through our books and workshops. Unfortunately, the current Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of this daily practice, even more so.
Understanding we have to be mindful when educating children, so as not to trigger OCD tendencies, I have written this simple blog to outline when and how to wash hands.
Ruth Wallace PhD, RPHNutr is the driving force behind SNAC. This informative Australian website offers sound advice and support for early years childcare . Included is a raft of recipes, menu planning tools, lesson plans, fact sheets, videos, quizzes and activities to support healthy eating.
One of the most helpful habits we can teach our children is to value and respect money and learn how to save and invest. In this digital world of touch cards and cash on tap, it is easy to understand why children expect instant gratification when purchasing and not getting to grips with patience and saving. No wonder debt is such a massive problem to so many. Again teaching the basics through education can only benefit for their financial future. Metro Bank offers a great workshop to do just this, and it's free! A no brainer for schools!
This blog will give you tips to lay the foundation when encouraging and supporting a growth mindset.
There are ten tips and ways to help a child build a positive attitude and encourage perseverance, effort and belief in themselves. It describes the way we speak to children and how we can support them to understand you need to face challenges to grow and learn.
Details on the Wokingham Book Festival which takes place on 19th -20th October 2019. Tina Stubbs is one of the authors taking part
Parenting experts Sue Atkins & Jo Fitzgerald have joined forces to bring help and support for parents and children in this huge milestone, the transition from primary to secondary education. It is a time often fraught with nerves and anxiety. The significant change, the growing up, meeting new people, fitting in and the fear of losing our babies to the start of adulthood come with all sorts of questions and dilemmas. These two ladies will calmly guide you through this change and give you the tools and knowledge to make it a happy and memorable experience for all involved!
As seen on ITV News & BBC Radio Berkshire
