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wikiHow to Tell Fairytales

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Think back to when you were young, and enjoyed, even anticipated, the bedtime fairytale story that you listened to as you got ready to go to sleep. Now, it's your turn to learn how to tell a good story.


  1. 1
    Find a topic or plot line that appeals to your audience. Do you think your toddler boy would enjoy hearing about princesses and true love? Think about what they would want to hear, or ask them what they would want in a story.
  2. 2
    Start off with an introduction to the story. Once upon a time is a traditional start, but used a lot. If the traditional feeling is what you are going for, using that is acceptable. You also might want to try something different, such as: "in a castle far, far away." The start should be interesting enough to catch the child's attention.
  3. 3
    Kick off from the beginning. If you started with a story about a princess locked in her tower, add more conflict. Perhaps, there is a magical song outside her window that she has to get to, or a monster within the tower. Make it interesting, so that your children will want to hear more instead of falling asleep. Many kids have short attention-spans, so their interest is crucial.
  4. 4
    End your story with something that wraps up the conflict. Select one that will make your child(ren) sleepy and interested, preferable a happy one. In most children's books, the "good guy" wins.
  5. 5
    Try to tell a story that they would want to tell their kids some day. Tell them one that they will always remember because it wasn't from a book, but was from your heart.

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    • Beware of your child yawning and dozing off in the middle of your story.
    • Don't stare off into space when telling your story. Try to act out some parts, or make exaggerated gestures. Make the kind sound regal, and the prince sound courteous.
    • Make your story interesting. Nobody wants to hear a boring story. Use different voices for different characters, and let the kids interact with the story.
    • Have fun telling your story and enjoy the children's enjoyment!


    • Scary stories are exciting, sometimes, but be careful when telling them to young kids. Know their limits, and respect them. You would not want to frighten a child.

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