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"Hi, my name is Josie and I'm 8.
This is where my dad shares what he knows about
playful learning and communication, so HAVE FUN,
because the best way to learn is through play!"


Learning Through Play and Imagination:
How to Play Storytelling Games

A note to the children from the daughter:
Do you want to play a storytelling game with me? It's easy. Just read the My Baby Monsters stories, and when you find a story you like, click "add on to this story." I also have stories and games in the My Baby Monsters Story Sharing Podcast and storytelling coloring pages.
Have fun. -- Josie

A note to parents and educators from the daddy:
The children's art and children's stories on this site are made possible by our imagination and My Baby Monsters. Learning is a lifelong process, so help your son, daughter, or class build a love for reading, writing, and creation by helping them share their own stories here, there, and everywhere.
Have fun. -- Michael Baumgarten, M.Ed.

Learn through play with storytelling games:

Help your children enhance their communication skills by playing a storytelling game together. Here are just a few:

The "About 1 Minute" Storytelling Game
Although often used as a warm up game, the one-minute storytelling game can often turn into a one-hour game of discovery as children use their creativity and memory to explore a topic. (this game is good for two or more people)

To play:
  1. Player 1 picks a topic (for example animals).
  2. Player 1 says, "Start."
  3. Player 2 says whatever comes to their head for one minute. Player 1 listens (it's important to remember that there are no wrong answers).
  4. After about a minute, Player 1 says, "Stop."
  5. Players discuss the topic and/or create a story based on the topic.

A few examples of the One-Minute storytelling game:

The "Lying King" Storytelling Game
By playing The Lying King Game children learn how to distinguish reality from fantasy. In addition, they develop critical listening, thinking, body language interpretation, and observation skills. (this storytelling game is good for two or more people)

To play:
  1. Player 1 tells a story... it can be "true" or "false" (something that really occurred, or something that is made up)
  2. Player 2 is the Lying King. The Lying King loves lies and will roar if he or she think the story is false, or say "naah" if true.
  3. If the Lying King is right, the Lying King gets a point, if not the Storyteller gets a point.
  4. Switch so the Lying King becomes the Storyteller and the Storyteller becomes the Lying King. Tell another story.
  5. Switch again, and again until one player has three points.
  6. Whoever gets three points first wins and is crowned the Lying King (also known as Baby Monster Super Liar).

An example of the Lying King storytelling game:


The "And-Then" Storytelling Game
By playing the And-Then storytelling game, children create stories beyond their experience, imagination, and competence. In addition to helping children expand their knowledge base, And-Then stories help them develop listening skills and collaborative skills. (this game is good for two or more people)

To play:

  1. Player 1 starts a story. When they are ready to stop, they say, "And then."
  2. Player 2 listens to story (or reads it)
  3. Player 2 adds on to story taking it in whatever direction they he or she wants. When they are ready to stop, they say, "And then."
  4. Next Player listens to story (or reads it) and then adds on to story. "And then."
  5. Next Player listens to story (or reads it) and then adds on to story. "And then..."

To an extent, all stories on the My Baby Monsters storytelling web site are And-Then stories. A few examples of the And-Then storytelling game: The "Story-Title" Storytelling Game
By creating someone else's story, children learn about point-of-view and spontaneity. They also learn about the editing process and context. (this game is good for two or more people)
  1. Player 1 makes up a title for a story.
  2. Player 2 makes up a story based on the title.

A few examples of the Story-Title storytelling game:
For more ideas, and to see any of these games in action, listen to the My Baby Monsters Storytelling Podcast.


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