I had a wonderful storytelling workshop with preschool teachers at the 1st Klasrum Adarna Early Childhood Education Conference this morning. The positive response from teachers was automatic. From the moment I told them that I started out as a preschool teacher to the last slide of my PowerPoint, they were all ears, engaged and inspired.It feels so good to touch base with teachers through storytelling. I met friends from CENTEX, Right Start Foundation and former co-teachers from Xavier School.
My workshop program opened with gangsa playing and me singing Salidommay. I asked teachers what they are thankful for: family, good health, friends, being alive. These I incorporated in the song. It wasn't difficult for teachers to hum and join in the singing. One participant mentioned how the gangsa is used for rituals and celebrations. I segued to storytelling as a ritual and a celebration. She smiled. I think she figured what the gangsa has to do with storytelling.
After this, I gave a group activity where teacher participants got to know each other better. Then, I processed the activity to move into my input on storytelling, its relevance and purpose. From there, we moved on to workshop proper which they enjoyed the most. I provided samples of various storytelling forms and techniques. Storytelling as a creative art form is not limited to one style. The storyteller is an artist who can experiment and push the limit of conventions.
I ended the session with a presentation on a storytelling program that can be used in classroom instruction and practice.
