If you are educating early years children about trust in others then at one time or another you may be examining the story of The Gingerbread Man and specifically how people interact with others. You will need comprehensive key stage 1 resources, material about issues of personal safety as well as top quality teaching resources focussed on the story of The Gingerbread Man.
The Gingerbread Man is one of a number of classical fairy tales that engages children from the outset. This is an extremely popular story for children in the age range of three to 6 years of age.
To work effectively with The Gingerbread Man you will benefit from The Gingerbread Man teaching resources. This tale is one of a series of very useful foundation stage resources.
The story tells the tale of a gingerbread cookie made in the shape of a man who comes alive and resolves to make his escape. He evades no end of pursuers, taunting them as he goes. He meets his demise by the hands of a cunning fox who manipulates The Gingerbread Man into relaxing his guard. The tale makes extensive use of rhythm and repetition. In some versions The Gingerbread Man cries out as each quarter of him is devoured.
The Gingerbread Man can be used to draw out typical features like story language, characters, plots and offers many options to cover objectives for conversation and listening. Small children can re-tell the story orally using pictures as visual cues. As children become acquainted with the text and repetition of The Gingerbread Man they will be ready to re-tell the tale themselves after having had it read to them numerous times.
It is good practice to provide puppets and other interactive objects related to the story so that the children can re-tell or re-enact the tale using using footage, puppets and story props in small groups. Children could utilize masks and act out the story outdoors or in the role-play area. Young children are sometimes enthusiastic to perform this kind of activity independently, without adult intervention.
Allowing children to re-tell stories themselves helps to develop their story telling capabilities, builds their self esteem and develops the social abilities for working in a small group. To form extra interest, the story could be recorded, filmed or said in some other way to what’s left of the class.
Fairy tales are useful tools for identifying basic story elements the beginning, the middle and the end. There are several versions of The Gingerbread Man and they can form the root of a demonstration in comparing one with another.
There are numerous creative activities that early years children can partake in. Collages and paintings can be created and once displayed the study room will look lively and full of colour. Every child will be well placed to have their work displayed.
One specific activity that is inspired by this story is for children to bake their own real gingerbread men following a published recipe and decorate their creations using a selection of icing and fruits.
The Gingerbread Man electrifies many alternative concepts for creative writing. The process of making different versions and endings can be a valuable exercise. Telling the story of The Gingerbread Man from a different character’s perspective can also be challenging and a good stimulus for giving vent to additional creative story writing talents.
It is typically helpful to act out and use drama ahead of creative writing and hot seating some of the characters gives a good understanding of the intricacies of the characters involved. The children can create their own versions using different settings, characters and props. All of these practical ideas and activities inspire young children to think creatively and act as a stimulus when it comes to writing. It is widely believed that young males particularly gain from lively drama and role-play experiences before being asked to write.