How storytelling sparks love for reading

MANILA, Philippines – For noted communications training consultant and storytelling advocate Manolo “Nolo” Silayan, the seed to promote love for reading must be planted at the youngest possible age, and must be sustained until they eventually become independent readers. As president of Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines, Inc. – a guild of volunteer storytellers dedicated to promoting the love of reading among children through book-based storytelling – Nolo has relentlessly espoused book-based storytelling as part of the reading activity in many schools, libraries, and children’s programs.

An educator himself, Nolo has spearheaded numerous training programs for both teachers and students, using Alitaptap’s modern style of storytelling that engages the audience through interactive techniques and the creative use of voice and gestures. The impact of storytelling training programs in schools have been dramatic: teachers are transformed into more expressive educators, while students become more attentive to storytelling because the manner by which the story is told is fun.

He believes that schools should provide programs and activities for children to enjoy classroom-based learning. Because of this, Nolo has made Reader’s Theater by Teacher Created Materials an important tool to develop reading comprehension skills. “I find the Teacher Created Materials line, particularly Reader’s Theater, very practical and easy to use. With TCM, my teachers easily picked up and integrated in their own subject areas, such as science, math, or language arts.” Nolo also runs an elementary school that includes a Speech subject, which integrates personality development, storytelling, and children’s theater.

Reader’s Theater, a flagship product of Teacher Created Materials, is an innovative and interactive program that builds fluency skills in listening, writing, and speaking in a fun yet effective manner. TCM products are exclusively distributed by Rex Book Store International. Interested parties may call 7402487, 7117169, and 7124101 local 105, or visit www.rexpublishing.com for more details.