Creating stories on the spot takes practice. Find out how to apply the Six Storytelling Styles with your child in different situations and for different temperamental styles.

Each of the Six Storytelling Styles can enhance several facets of a child's developing character.

1. The Real Deal (memory)
These stories are based in reality. While they do not need to be true, they do need concrete characters and events in them. There are no talking animals or fantasy characters that are common in many children stories. These stories can range from personal experiences that happened in the family, to the child when they were younger, to their parents, grandparents or people they know. They can also have no personal relationship to the child but are entrenched in the physical world.

2. Animal Stories (compassion)
These stories are the most common and accessible to children of all ages. Children are instinctively drawn to animals and have great compassion for them. Their innocence parallels that of children which allows children to relate very well to their struggles. Try to choose animals your child relates fondly to or surprise them with a few obscure ones.

3. It Happened to Me (problem solving, self-image)
These stories are similar to the 'when I was a kid..' story. They focus on another person, character or thing that mirror the experience back to the child. Use a friend, relative, favourite tv character, stuffed animal, even you, but do not use the child as the central character.

4. The Princess and Dragon Story (imagination) (click here for sample)
The classic princess/dragon characters used to describe a great adventure where the child is the central character.

5. The Nonesense Story (humour)
Fun, nonsensical stories designed to make the child laugh.

6. The Long and Winding Story (focus and language skills)
An elaborate story that mixes one or all of the story styles. It is longer in length and includes many twists and turns that will suprise both the teller and the listener.