Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful ways to communicate ideas, teach lessons, and engage listeners. The PACE strategy—short for Prereading Activity for Concept Enhancement—takes this age-old tool and uses it to make learning more meaningful for children. Through short, engaging stories told by an adult, the PACE approach helps children get ready to learn new topics in a fun and memorable way.
At its core, the PACE method is about preparing children for a lesson by introducing important ideas through storytelling. Before they read or dive into a topic, kids hear a story that gives them background knowledge and gets them thinking. This helps them understand what they’re about to learn and makes the whole experience more interesting.
Using PACE helps children in several ways. It gives them a reason to read or learn, helps them focus on the main ideas, and teaches them important vocabulary they’ll need for the topic. It also encourages them to answer questions before reading and to connect the lesson to their own experiences.
What to Keep in Mind When Telling a Story
Even though storytelling sounds simple, there are some key points to remember when using it as a teaching tool:
- Plan ahead. Think about what you want your students to learn and build your story around that goal.
- Organize your story. Write down the events in the order you want to present them, like a timeline.
- Use your own words. Don’t just read something from a book. Speak naturally and let the story flow.
- Add creativity. Feel free to exaggerate a little or include funny moments. Humor and imagination help make the lesson stick.
- Start strong. Begin your story with something exciting or surprising to grab the kids’ attention.
- Make eye contact. Keep your eyes on your listeners to help them stay focused on the story.
- Change your voice. Use different tones or facial expressions for different characters to make the story more engaging.
- Use props. Real items related to the topic make the story more visual and easier to remember.
These storytelling tips can help bring your lesson to life and keep kids interested.
How the PACE Strategy Works
The PACE approach includes three important steps:
Step One: Create the Story
This first step takes the most time. Think about the key ideas and vocabulary you want to include. Write questions that will spark curiosity and discussion. Though it takes effort to prepare, you can reuse the story for similar topics later.
Step Two: Tell the Story
Now it’s time to perform your story! Be enthusiastic and expressive. Your energy will help keep the students interested and involved.
Step Three: Talk About the Story
After telling the story, invite the children to share their thoughts. Ask the pre-questions you prepared and encourage them to ask their own. This discussion helps them understand the topic more deeply and lets them share their own ideas and experiences.
Final Thoughts
Everyone, no matter their age, loves a good story. With the PACE strategy, storytelling becomes a fun and powerful way to introduce children to new concepts. It taps into their imagination, sparks curiosity, and prepares them to dive deeper into learning. By blending storytelling with education, PACE makes learning not just more effective—but also more enjoyable.
