For some parents the thought of travelling with their children is enough to break them out in a cold sweat. The thought of being stuck in a small space, possibly with no way to stop until you get to your destination with bored, crying and complaining children can be a daunting experience. There are many things you can do to prevent disasters of this kind when travelling. My children at four and two are frequent travellers and I am fortunate to have two children that travel very well. This good behaviour is in part due to their great temperaments, but it is also due to the fact that we have found storytelling to be a great way to keep them entertained on long journeys. (Although we remember to bring plenty of snacks, drinks and a change of clothes too!)
My first focus when travelling with children is to keep them happy. While I try to stick to basic routines, my first aim is to keep them quiet and smiling. A happy child equals happy parents. Storytelling can entertain both you and your children, and help the time to pass quickly. The following ideas are all methods I have used many occasions in our family travels- and I find they work well.
Our first story begins before we have even left. The night before we tell the story of how we expect the following day to be – from how we will get there to how everyone will feel on the plane or in the car. We talk about any changes in routine, as a little story of our children’s day. If we plan to leave when the children would normally be still in bed, they can keep their pyjamas on, so they know it is a special time. This also means we have another activity to do at some point on our journey- getting dressed!
For plan travel, we pack sets of finger puppets we can pull out as necessary. These are sets we have made or purchased that can be used to retell traditional tales. They are lighter and smaller than picture books, and the children can retell the stories themselves once we have finished. We have sets of the three little pigs, little red riding hood and a few fingerplays such as five little ducks. To make it more interesting for your child, wrap any sets up in wrapping paper so they feel they are receiving a treat before you begin your story.
Finger puppets are very easy to make. You can make them using paper and tape and felt pens. Use paper shaped like this:
Cut two of this shape for each finger and join them together. You can then decorate the front piece with the characteristics you desire. Your child can Help to make them, and being paper, if one is lost it is easily replaced. Finger puppets are my personal favourite as you or your child can hold all the characters on one hand as they hear or tell the story. How about cutting out some shapes beforehand and getting your child to make their own sets on the plane? Then you have a great craft activity and a great set for storytelling. (Remember to pack your pens and sellotape as well.)
Have a few favourite stories ready to tell for terrible moments. For very young children this might be a few of their favourite rhymes or fingerplays. For older children it might be a favourite fairytale or a story from your own childhood.
A favourite game when we travel is a guessing game. We use this with our four year old. It is a great way to develop storytelling skills in our children, as they have to ask questions to find the answer. We play a story tales game where one of us think is of a fairytale character (such as Sleeping Beauty) and the other family members have to ask questions (Is the person a princess?) to find out the characters identity.
If you have meant to come prepared but just forgot, and you are desperate for anything to keep them entertained, try the paper bag story. Using the paper bag in from of your seat, place items from your hand luggage- a pen, a notebook, some chewing gum, what ever you think could be interesting enough to place in the bag. When you have about ten items you are ready to begin.
Begin a story with your child. It can be about anything- a bear lost in the woods or a princess searching for her prince. When ever you feel the story is beginning to run out of ideas, ask your child to take something out of the bag. Put the item into the story- for example, if the pull out a pen, get the princess to write a letter or use the pen to pole vault over a river.
Keep going until the objects are all used it. The best thing about this story is it never is quite the same- and you can change the objects depending on your handbag’s contents.
Enjoy travelling with your child- and remember it is only a few hours or a day in your life- you will survive!
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Here is the Chimney | Santa Songs for Children by Cullen´s Abc´s
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Hello Everybody! Playsongs and Rhymes from a Toddler’s World $8.99 This triple award winner lets you share some happy, giggly moments with your toddler before snuggling down for nap or bed. Cheerful play songs, charming rhymes and gentle lullabies are easy to sing and play along with together. The games are toddler favorites; little fingers pretend they are ducks, reach for the sky, tickle and play peek a boo. The simple and sometimes silly songs inspire new ver… |
