More than 60 children and their family members of all ages took part in BFG-themed workshops at Cumberland Lodge on Wednesday 7th July, as part of an intergenerational storytelling day.
The workshops were run in partnership with the Learn2Think Foundation and Dr Ann Alston, a children’s literature expert from the University of the West of England.
They explored the power of stories for inspiring questions and conversations that resonate across the generations, and looked at how stories can help people to think about shared dreams for stronger communities.
Dr Ann Alston, who led small-group storytelling sessions in the grounds of the Lodge, said, ‘It’s all about starting conversations about the power of books and storytelling for passing ideas and learning from generation to generation, and encouraging people of all ages to question and think critically about the world we live in.’
Virginia McLean and Felicia Jackson from the Learn2Think Foundation led creative workshops throughout the day, for children and their parents, grandparents and guardians.
Participants were tasked with imagining what they would ask the oldest person in the world, and what they could learn from the oldest person they know. They also drew pictures of how they wish the world could be, and thought about how stories can bring children and older generations together.
Felicia said, ‘It’s been wonderful to have the chance to engage children from 5 to 15 with the skills, tools and excitement to ask questions and tell stories inspired by reality and their imaginations.
‘Questions are at the heart of all stories and are fundamental to the way we learn. On average, a child aged four or five asks about 400 questions a day! By the age of seven or eight, that has fallen to just a few, and it’s important that people retain the ability to tap into their natural curiosity and ask searching questions.’
Virginia added, ‘In Roald Dahl’s intergenerational story, The BFG, Sophie asks an amazing 145 questions of the BFG! Today has been about helping people to be more like Sophie, by asking good questions, about the world we live in, and the people we meet along the way’.
The Great Park
Windsor
Berkshire SL4 2HP
cumberlandlodge.ac.uk
01784 432316
