Children like picture book stories. Stories told by parents are like seeds that grows in children’s hearts.
At SUIS Qingpu, we always adhere to the joint efforts of family and school. This semester, we are pleased to have a group of parents who love to tell stories, share memories and work with teachers to support student learning. Under the guidance of Ms. Shu Ping, the training tutor of Taiwan, China Golden Story mothers use picture books to open the door to a ‘real-life education’ that exposes children to valuable lessons that teach them the meaning of life, love and happiness.
“Story Mothers Group” established
On April 21, the story mothers group was officially established. During the initial orientation, story parents displayed their love with a pledge of trust before embarking on a two-month professional training session. During the training, they learned “why to be a story parent”, “how to be a better example for children”, “self-awareness”, “interpersonal value”, and “life education in picture books”. Our story parents planned together, and practiced questioning skills and in-class sharing. Now they are a dedicated team with professional theory and practical experience.
Listen to “Story Mothers” telling the picture book stories
Grade One and Grade Two chose The Turtle Who Lost the Shell and Officer Buckle and Gloria as the first story book to be read with the students. The first lesson preparation of the story mothers was held in Ancient Scholars House. They studied picture books, lesson planning, classroom questioning, interactive reflection and simulated classroom instruction.
In the classroom, children were thinking deeply about questions while listening to the stories being read. The unique thinking of students was reflected in answers that expressed their self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-confidence. Story parents also encouraged children to find their own characteristics throughout the text so that they may learn more about themselves.
At the end of each parent visit, the children began to look forward to the next story session, imagining the wonderful stories to be shared by parents and children together.
Words from “Story Mothers”
After a one-month training, I joined the class for the first time on April 29th to share picture books with the children. I am proud of being a member of this warm and energetic team. It provides me a small space outside of my full-time job. These lovely and curious children fill me with motivation. At the end of the class, the children asked when would be the next session. I am thankful to the story parents group for making life so beautiful.
Every picture book we selected was full of profound meaning. By analyzing the relationships between “I and I”, “I and group”, and “I and world”, children were inspired to recognize the value of life, the attitude towards death and the belief in life.
The first picture book we used in the class was The Turtle Who Lost the Shell. Although we were well prepared with a PPT and teaching plan, I was really nervous when entering the classroom. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the students were enthusiastic, thoughtful, independent, and observant. At the end of the class, I realized that when telling stories at home, I didn’t notice whether my children were devoting themselves to the stories. Actually, there is quite a difference between ‘telling a story’ and ‘understanding a story’.