Preschoolers often use their hands to hit, push, pull, or grab. Even though these behaviors are challenging, they are normal.

Pedagogical or teaching tales are fantastic for addressing sensitive topics like challenging behaviors. Using stories to address issues like hitting causes some sort of magic to happen. Children absorb the information since it’s not about them, and they can see a broader perspective through the lens of the story.

Enjoy this episode of Storytime in the Woods, and hear a pedagogical story about using hands in helpful ways (instead of harmful ones).

I wrote this story when one of the young children in my program was struggling to find his place in the group. He wanted to be included in the play and tried to get involved in less-than-helpful ways. He was a strong and determined child.

I worked with the child’s parents and the parents in the program to ensure the language surrounding this child was positive and inclusive. I also told this story for four weeks, ending with a puppet show and ultimately having the children act it out with the puppets themselves.

• The magic of the story went to work, and several things shifted:
• The group of children began to praise this child for his strength.
• The boy’s confidence grew, and he was soon at ease and part of the group.
• The boy stopped using his hands to push, knock, hit, or grab and took pride in using them to build, create, help, and repair.

The most significant shift was inside the young boy himself. After hearing this story, he realized his strength and determination were things to be proud of.

Story: The Cranky Chicken

There was a Little Chicken who would become excited or frustrated and use her sharp beak to peck, peck, peck at things around her. Sometimes, even pecking her friends!

“I’m a cranky chicken, and I want you to see
My strong beak is the best part of me.”

Her friends didn’t like being pecked and often didn’t want to play with Little Chicken. One day, her friend the cow got a bur stuck on her back and needed help removing it. None of the other animals could help, and the little chicken knew her beak could help. She used her beak as gently as possible to remove the burr. Then, she gave the cow a gentle scratch on her back with her beak. Her beak was the perfect tool for the job!
After that, the chicken knew how to use her beak in helpful ways instead of hurtful ways.

“I’m a little chicken, and I’m here to say
I use my beak in helpful ways.”

Watch the full episode in the video player above or on our YouTube page. Then, check out the rest on our website.

Other Pedagogical Tales

Interested in hearing other pedagogical, or teaching tales? Our Purple Day episodes from Storytime in the Schoolhouse® include more stories like this one, including:

• Tidy-Up Teddy: a pedagogical tale about tidying your room
• The Tale of Ms. Tiggly Winkle: a puppet show
• The Possum Who Didn’t Like Anything New: A story about trying new things
• Shimmer & Glimmer's New Home | a story about separation & divorce
• Maisie's New Mousie | A story about a new sibling
• Wilson Wild Wind/ A story about balancing moments of wild with moments of calm

Other Early Childhood Resources

You’ll love our signature program, Storytime in the Schoolhouse. This program includes daily videos with circle times, puppet shows, and seasonal, nature-based craft projects.

Request our Storytime Seasonal Sampler, and you'll get a week of Storytime videos from each season. It’s free; no credit card or trial is required. Just give me your email, and I’ll send them your way!