Stories Work Like Magic

In many hands-on homeschooling approaches, stories form the foundation of the lessons. Stories can work like magic!

They connect us, person to person, and heart to heart.

The shortest distance between a human being and the truth is a story.
~Anthony De Mello

Stories can:

illustrate values
inspire character development
teach nature, science or history content
introduce math or language arts skills

This is Episode #76 of the Art of Homeschooling and if you’re inspired to embrace the idea of stories as magic in your homeschooling, have a listen. I’m glad you’re here!

Stories Work Like Magic

Storytelling has been used to convey lessons and learning for time out of mind. And it’s embraced by many holistic teaching approaches, such as the teaching movements founded by Rudolf Steiner and Charlotte Mason.

Rudolf Steiner said, in his Practical Advice to Teachers lecture series in 1919, “Read the story aloud to the children, then leave it be.“

Stories should be allowed to rest in the imagination of the child. And then you can revisit the story after a night of rest.

In the Waldorf approach, stories are revisited through artistic experiences and composing summaries. You can use this rhythm ~ of story, rest, revisit ~ for all children, from early childhood though adolescence.

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss:

where to find stories
how to choose a story
how to share a story
why memorizing a story isn’t necessary for homeschooling
how to approach questions, conversation, and discussion around stories
the two day rhythm of working with story material

Suggestions & Links

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Three stories mentioned in the episode:

Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess

The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell

The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

And if you’re curious about using the magic of stories to introduce math and language arts skills, come join me inside the Inspired at Home membership community. You’ll love the tools and training provided in the Skills Development for Homeschooling Masterclass. And the 25+ other masterclasses you’ll have access to once you join!

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