Bridge

The Interactive Story for Daily Communication
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When is this needed?

• Insufficient contact between parents and child;
• The child is unable to describe events in their life, their feelings, and emotions;
• The general development of the child.

Why is this needed?

• To intensify adult-child contact in an incredibly engaging way;
• To develop communication skills;
• To foster mutual understanding without direct questions;
• To teach the child how to have a conversation—not interrupting, listening to others, planning the next drawing—this is an excellent exercise in concentration;
• To develop the child’s concept that “Joint efforts bring satisfaction and contribute to trusting relationships.”

Scenario

Step I: Beginning of the Story

Once upon a time, there was a…
His name was…
He did everything that everyone else did…:
first he…,
then he…,
and then…,
and then…

Step II: Depicting Difficulties

Suddenly…
hears something…,
sees something…,
feels something…,
touches something…

Step III: Finding the Goal

What is this?
What does it resemble?
I don’t know what it is.

Step IV: Discussion

What to do? Maybe call…?
Or maybe shout out loud?
I don’t know what it is

Step V: Resolution

Did…
Was proud of himself…

Features of Story Creation

1. Short and Simple:
   Stories should be short and clear so that the child can easily understand and actively participate. Use simple words and short sentences to maintain the child’s attention and interest.

2. Completely Free Beginning:
   The story’s beginning can be anything and doesn’t need a strict format. You can start by describing any situation or character; what’s important is that the beginning is interesting and appealing to the child.

3. No “Right/Wrong”:
   There are no strict rules for how the story should continue. Give the child the freedom to choose the direction of events and solve the situation. This helps develop their creativity and confidence in their decisions.

4. Non-verbal Participation Signal:
   Establish a clear non-verbal signal (e.g., raising a hand, a look, or a head movement) that the child will use to signal their desire to participate in the story. This helps maintain the flow and order during story creation.

5. Spontaneity:
   The story should unfold spontaneously. Allow events and characters to develop organically without strict planning. This ensures the story’s naturalness and flexibility.

6. Changing the Child’s Participation:
   The child’s participation can vary depending on their mood, desire, and age. The child can be active or passive, joining the story at any moment or simply listening. Flexibility in approach allows adaptation to the child’s individual needs and state.

7. Interactivity:
   Maintain an interactive format so that the child can contribute their own ideas, ask questions, and offer solutions for the development of events. This encourages engagement and interest.

8. Emotional Feedback:
   Monitor the child’s emotional state and respond to their emotions. If the child appears worried or happy, incorporate these emotions into the story to support their emotional state and encourage healthy expression of feelings.

9. Supporting Imagination:
   Encourage the child to use their imagination, creating new worlds and characters. Help them visualize scenes and events to develop creativity and abstract thinking.

Attention!

1. Free Expression of Thoughts and Creativity:
   At the start of each therapeutic session, everything the child says and draws is accepted without judgment or correction. This is important for creating a trusting atmosphere and stimulating the child’s creative expression.

2. Adaptation to Child’s Thinking:
   It is important for adults to be familiar with the characteristics of children’s thinking. This helps better understand and support the child in the process of creating stories. Additional literature on this topic may be helpful (a list of relevant sources is provided in the appendix).

3. Concentration and Flexibility:
   Interactive communication requires full concentration and flexibility from the adult. Be prepared for the unexpected turns and changes in the story that the child may suggest.

4. Alternative Methods of Engagement:
   If the child refuses to participate in the story creation, start with a different approach. For example, have the child invent names for the main characters, describe their appearance, determine their age, and create clothes for them. This can help the child gradually enter the process and feel like part of the story.

5. Choosing the Context:
   Offer the child to decide in which season or month the story takes place. This gives the child a sense of control over the plot and encourages engagement in creative activity.

6. Constant Support:
   Support the child in their ideas and encourage their self-expression. It’s important to create an environment where the child feels free and safe to express their thoughts and emotions.

These recommendations will help make the process of creating therapeutic stories more effective and enjoyable for the child, promoting their emotional development and supporting a creative approach to problem-solving.

Interactive therapeutic stories can be a useful tool for daily communication with a child, promoting their emotional development and supporting positive well-being.
Here are some themes that can be used:

1. Emotional Regulation:
   Stories about how the main character finds ways to control their emotions when they are sad, scared, or happy.

2. Cooperation and Friendship:
   Stories about how characters collaborate with others, resolve conflicts, and the importance of friendship.

3. Self-Acceptance and Self-Determination:
   Stories where the main character discovers their unique talents, values, and interests, despite external or internal obstacles.

4. Personal Development:
   Stories about how characters change and grow, learn new skills, and solve problems.

5. Safety and Seeking Help:
   Stories about how the main character seeks support from adults, friends, or finds their own ways to ensure safety in different situations.

6. Fantasy and Adventure:
   Stories that encourage the child to use their imagination and create fantastic plots about adventures.

7. Routine and Habits:
   Stories about how characters manage their time, complete routine tasks, and learn to change their habits for the better.

8. Interpersonal Relationships:
   Stories that help understand social skills, such as communication, interacting with peers, and resolving conflicts.

These themes can be adapted depending on the child’s age and individual needs, creating stories that contribute to their psychological growth and emotional well-being.