January 11, 2026 | A 3-day storytelling workshop for children aged 6–10 at Alphabet Preschool, Kathmandu
The three-day storytelling workshop was designed for around 8 children aged 6–10 during the winter camp at Alphabet Preschool in Lalitpur, Nepal.
Each day was built around a carefully selected story—Hi! I am a Circle, Stuck, and Dhapla Khyak—with activities that gradually deepened the children’s engagement with storytelling.
From simple interaction and play to imagination, expression, and confidence-building, the workshop created a space where children could explore stories not just as listeners, but as creators.
Day 1: Hi! I am a Circle
The workshop began with a story that was simple, playful, and full of discovery. ‘Hi! I am a Circle’ explores how a single circle can transform—changing color, size, position, and even multiplying—through simple actions like pressing, rubbing, tapping, and blowing.
Inspired by the interactive style of the book ‘Press Here’ by Hervé Tullet, this session invited children into a sensorial experience where they didn’t just watch the story—they made it happen.
It became a perfect ice-breaker, helping children connect with each other and with the facilitator.
Workshop Flow
- Warm-up games, tongue twisters, and body–voice exercises
The day began with simple warm-up games designed to help children feel comfortable—with the space, with each other, and with themselves. Through playful movement, voice exercises, tongue twisters, and small group interactions, the room slowly shifted from hesitation to openness.
These activities are essential in storytelling spaces. When children begin to move, speak, and laugh together, they start building trust—both within the group and in their own expression.
- Interactive storytelling session
The storytelling session of Hi! I am a Circle followed as a highly interactive experience. Children were not just listening—they were pressing, tapping, blowing, and responding. Each action created a visible change in the story, allowing them to feel a sense of agency.
This kind of sensory interaction helps children engage more deeply, as stories become something they can experience through their body and actions—not just through listening.
- Follow-up craft: Creating their own Circle Storybook
Starting with a simple circle, children created their own storybooks with their imagination—what happens next? Where does it go? What does it become?
Each story unfolded differently—some playful, some surprising, some abstract. When they presented their books to the group, the space shifted again—from creation to sharing. Children spoke, listened, and responded to each other, slowly building confidence in expressing their ideas.
Each child created a storybook where every page began with a circle—and what happened next was entirely their imagination.
They presented their stories to the group, building confidence and communication skills.
Day 2: Stuck
The second day introduced children to a world of absurdity and imagination.
‘Stuck’ by Oliver Jeffers follows a child named Floyd, whose kite gets stuck in a tree. His solution? Throw things at it. One by one—his shoe, another shoe, a ladder, an orangutan, even a door—everything gets stuck.
The story unfolds into a humorous chain of unexpected events, encouraging children to think beyond logic and embrace playful problem-solving.
By Day 2, children were more comfortable, more expressive, and ready to take creative risks.
Workshop Flow
- Warm-up games and connection exercises
The second day began with a renewed sense of familiarity. The group was more connected, more expressive, and ready to explore further.
Warm-up games now focused on coordination, rhythm, and group dynamics—encouraging children to respond to each other, listen actively, and build energy together.
- Interactive storytelling session
The storytelling session of Stuck introduced a different kind of engagement—absurdity, repetition, and playful problem-solving.
As Floyd kept throwing objects into the tree, children began anticipating what might happen next. They laughed, predicted outcomes, and suggested their own ideas—often going beyond the logic of the story.
This shift is important in storytelling workshops. Moving from guided interaction to imaginative contribution allows children to explore creative thinking and problem-solving in their own way.
- Follow-up craft: Creating their own “Stuck Tree”
In the follow-up activity, each child created their own “Stuck Tree.” Given a large sheet of paper, they imagined:
What is stuck? Why is it stuck? And how would they solve it?
Some solutions were logical.
Some were completely unexpected.
As they presented their ideas, the storytelling space became collaborative—each child contributing a new perspective, building not just confidence, but also an understanding of how stories can take many forms.
Day 3: धाप्लां ख्याक (Dhapla KhyaK)
The final day shifted into a world of mystery, imagination, and courage.
Dhapla Khyak, written by Durga Lal Shrestha, tells the story of a mysterious creature that appears in the dark and disappears in the light. A group of children encounters this “Khyak”—a playful yet slightly scary presence—and must face their fear of the unknown.
The story opens up a space for children to explore fear—not as something to avoid, but something to understand and play with.
Workshop Flow
- Warm-up games and voice–body exercises
By the third day, the group had developed a strong sense of comfort and trust. Warm-up exercises now felt natural—children moved, spoke, and engaged without hesitation. The space was ready for a different kind of experience.
- Interactive storytelling with light and shadow
The storytelling session of Dhapla Khyak introduced light and shadow as central elements. In a darkened room, with only a torch guiding the experience, children entered a space where imagination became more intense. Shapes appeared and disappeared. Shadows moved. The unknown became part of the story.
This kind of environment allows children to safely explore themes like fear—transforming them into something playful and manageable through storytelling.
- Follow-up craft: Creating their own monster
The follow-up activity extended this experience.
Each child created their own monster on a transparent sheet—designing its shape, features, and personality. When these were brought back into the dark room, their drawings came alive through light.
Monsters appeared on walls, ceilings, and floors—no longer something to fear, but something they had created and controlled.
In presenting their monsters, children stood in the same space that once held uncertainty—and transformed it into a space of play, laughter, and ownership.
The Experience
Across three days, the space transformed into a world of exploration and expression.
Children moved from hesitation to confidence—speaking, performing, and sharing their ideas openly. The room was filled with drawings, storybooks, laughter, and moments of discovery.
Whether it was creating a circle story, solving an impossible problem, or facing a shadowy monster, each child found their own way of engaging.
The workshop became more than a learning space—
it became a place where imagination felt safe, shared, and alive.
Many Thanks To
- Maya Thapa – Founder of Alphabet Preschool
- All the students and teachers who participated
- Bansri Pandey – Facilitator
- Rasodita Adhikari and Shishir Siwakoti – Photography and Support
Concluding Remarks
Over three days, stories became something more than words.
They became drawings, voices, shadows, laughter, and ideas.
And in that process, children didn’t just listen to stories—
they discovered their own.
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