David Wilson Homes has arranged a storytelling session to enrich the lives of young minds at Birklands Primary School in Mansfield, as part of National Storytelling Week.
The annual event, celebrated nationwide from 27th January to 4th February, recognises the profound impact of stories on our lives. Through the art of storytelling, children can learn about the world, cultivate empathy, find relaxation, and develop essential literacy skills.
David Wilson Homes arranged for professional storyteller, Mark Fraser, to spend the morning of Tuesday 30th January captivating the imaginations of the schoolchildren through his interactive storytelling. In engaging 45-minute sessions with around 240 pupils, he shared three captivating tales from current times, older times and ancient times.
The narratives incorporated a blend of myth and legend themes aligning with the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Concluding the sessions, Mark challenged the students to sequence the stories chronologically by age.
To their amazement, the tale they perceived as ancient was revealed to be only a couple of years old. Amy Watson, Assistant Headteacher at Birklands Primary School, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils.
They were enthralled by Mark’s stories; they enjoyed making predictions about the plot and modifying these as the tale unravelled. “Mark also encouraged them to reflect on the lessons than can be learnt from them.”
Adding to the excitement, Mark also introduced a story featuring juggling, balancing, and spinning, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. Storyteller Mark Fraser added: “It was amazing to work with Birklands Primary School to celebrate National Storytelling Week.
“Traditional storytelling can give so much to people of all ages, as well as children and these days it's more important than ever. Thank you to David Wilson Homes for providing this opportunity, and to the school for being so cooperative. I really hope the children enjoyed the magic of storytelling.”
The school was selected to receive a storytelling workshop due to its close proximity to the homebuilder’s Stonebridge Fields development in Market Warsop. John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “By collaborating with storytellers like Mark during National Storytelling Week, we aim to inspire children, encourage creativity, and develop a lifelong love for learning.”
