Once upon a time... these three little words have the super power to immediately transfer you to another reality. Don't you remember the times when your grandfather would tell you stories and you would be curled up near him listening in awe to every word he spoke? Stories have mind altering effects. Inspiring tales can veer a child towards values that can become principles for life. It is very important what stories you tell your child and how you narrate them.

Stories are not just bed-time entertainment that can help impart great morals to children, telling stories can create bonds. It forms a strong bond between parents and children that is cherished for a lifetime. Televisions, games and computers eat up the time that helps create great bonding between children and parents. Your child will always remember the story of the thirsty crow you told him but may forget the first TV show he watched. Remember telling a story is better than giving that extra hour on computer.

There is a plethora of stories available if you just look around. You can pick up anything and weave a story around it. For example, take up the biography of Mother Teresa and tell your child about her like a story. Try doing it with even a simple incident like the apple dropping on Newton's head. You can even source out stories from books or log online. Here's a little help on narrating stories that will interest your child and help you bond.

Stories of legends and mythological characters

Introduce your children to the world of mythology with mythological tales around the world. There are hundreds of exciting Indian mythological characters and stories that you can tell your child about. You can even spark your child's interest with mythological stories from Greece and Egypt. Some stories have heroes that are symbolic legends even today. For example, stories of Krishna's life in Gokul, Sindbad the traveller, Achilles or King Ramases of Egypt make great reads for children.

The Indian culture has a variety of mythological characters in great epic stories like Ramayana and the Mahabharata that can set your child's imagination racing. So pick these stories and let your child take a plunge in the world of mythology. You can even find these stories online.

The Arabian Nights

The most amazing tales from Arabian countries that is full of morals and values. Each story in the thousand and one Arabian Nights is as amazing and enchanting as the last. Every story is beautifully woven around genies, witches, the common man, kings, queens, slaves, prince, princesses, animals and spirits. The exotic Arabian Nights are a great collection to have and reading them to your children is equally fun.

Short Stories for children

If you cannot finish big stories like the Arabian Nights, you can read them in parts or opt out for short stories for children. There are different categories like Aesop's fables, Panchtantra and the Jataka tales. Aesop's fables are animal stories and kids will love hearing about talking monkeys and weeping birds. It has very strong values that a child can learn from. The Panchatantra is also a good mix of human and animal characters. The Jataka are based on a belief that Gautam Buddha appeared in many forms to spread his message. The witty Akbar and Birbal tales are very exciting, dramatic and can make your child laugh at the smart morals. You can read one story a day or at bedtime.

Story time is fun and helpful for kids

Story time is a very special time for you and your child. If your child has played all those games and you do not know what to do next, reading a story is always a refreshing break. Once you and your child spend time reading and listening to stories you both will look forward to that magical story time. Story time helps your child get your undivided attention and helps develop his listening skills, which are a rarity today.

Ensure that you have kept some time aside for telling stories to your children. A child will always be ready to hear the simplest of stories, if you have the time to tell.

Telling stories at bed time

This is the most special time to tell stories. Nothing can replace the feeling when your child is lying cuddled in your arms hearing to every word you have to say. Watch the amazement, excitement and curiosity filled eyes on every little detail you provide. Telling stories at bedtime can be a good habit and also a signal that it is time to sleep. Turn off the television and huddle in bed with a nice story book. There are special bedtime story books available that you can read from.

Gift a storybook

A good book makes a great gift. Buy a storybook for your child instead of a toy that will break soon. While surfing with your child show them important sites where they can read stories. Reward your child with a book when he does something nice. Buy a storybook from a place you visit on a business trip. Read it together. Write a message in every book you buy and date it. It will turn into a treasure once your son or daughter grows up.

How to read a story to a child

If you are reading your child a fairy tale, you can use your voice to emote feelings for different characters. You can read or speak in a hoarse sound for a monster and you can have a delicate soft voice for a princess. A squeaky sound for a squirrel would sound funny. It helps a child imagine better and breathes life into every character. Highlight the positive aspects and downplay negativities. For example, avoid getting Cinderella's beauty under the spotlight. You can bring up the point that not all stepmothers are bad but Cinderella's stepmother was an exception.

Make your child the hero of a story

This one will test your creativity but may be relatively easy too. If you are running out of stories then create a story about your child and tell him that story. Make him or her hero of the story. Send him across to magical lands; highlight his personality, his likes and dislikes and how at the end the hero overcomes the bad. You will end up having a lot of fun and your child will love you for telling him a story where he is the hero, like all the other heroes in storybooks. You can stress on the point that he is your real hero. Isn't he?

Listening to stories help memory. A story narrated well, is remembered well. Imagine, if History teachers taught every lesson like a story would children struggle to remember dates and events? Why don't you give it a try? Pick up that book and tell your child an amazing story that he will cherish always.