Let’s begin by understanding what does the term prop mean?

Prop is a short word for properties

which means the physical things used in stories, drama. A prop can be anything from finger
puppets, stick puppets, glove puppets , paper bag puppets, picture cards, felt board , face mask,
musical instruments, picture cut outs, to name just a few.

A prop can help to tell a story better and can make a story more engaging and experiential.

Use of prop may vary from story to story and from storyteller to storyteller. A ball could become
a globe, a crystal ball or somebody’s head. A rain stick can be used to make the rain sound or as
a walking stick or a witch’s stick with which she stirs the potions. Likewise, straw could be used
for the little pig’s house or witch’s hair or a chore for a princess to spin it to gold like in
Rumplestiltskin.

Why do we use props?

1. Makes the story believable.

2. Adds to the experience of the story.

3. Supports comprehension and analysis of age- appropriate text thereby deepening

childrens’ understanding of the story.

4. Increases/ improves children’s engagement with the story.

5. Improves retention of story. Makes recall smoother.

6. Bring opportunities for learning.

7. When used in read alouds, props can make reading more fun.

Using props to tell a story is a wonderful technique that can lead children to discover the joy of
literature and learning. It's fun and can transform the experience of the storyteller and the
listeners.

Some pointers for using props

Props are fun to make and use but there are certain factors one has to take into
consideration when using them in a story . Let’s look at these factors-

Ask yourself - Does the story need a prop ?

This is a very important question. Only use a prop/s that will enhance the telling and will
add to the fun and enjoyment of the story. The prop/s should add to your experience and
to the experience of the listeners. The prop/s shouldn’t distract your audience. Eg- If you
get three huge pigs for Three Pigs story- Won’t they distract the children? They would!
Be mindful about what you are bringing along.

Consider the age group and size of your audience

If you are convinced about using a prop, the next step is to consider the age group and size
of your audience. What works for a five year old may not work for a 13 year old. What
works in a setting of 20 children may not fit well in a larger gathering.

What kind of props would you need?

● Have clarity about the kind of prop/s you would need.

● Will you use it to represent a character/s ? Eg- A hat for the witch, a turban for a
villager or a groom.
● Do you want to use a prop for the setting? Eg - A blue dupatta to show a water body
or a brown towel to represent mud.
● Do you want to bring out the prop to sing a song while narrating the story- Eg - A
tambourine or harmonica.
● Do you want to use a prop to warm up to the audience? Eg- Bring along a puppet
to play with and have fun with the kids in the audience.
● Decide and note down how many props you would need . A story may need just
one prop or many like The hungry Caterpillar story . Make a note of it.
● Start the work of preparing them. It’s good to check if you have them around
already. Sometimes we can use the household things or toys from children’s
cupboards as props. Do take a look before you set out to buy them.

Preparing the props

If you need to build your props, be mindful of the materials you will use . Making props is a
time consuming process- thinking how to make them, procuring the material, actual
process of making them is all very very tedious. Build them with materials which will last a
few tellings. It shouldn't fall apart with just one telling.

Be creative while making them. Think of all the possibilities available to you at home. For
eg- A plastic car or truck can be used as a fire truck, a blanket rolled up can be a tall
mountain, a stack of books can represent a building, Legos can be rocks, a brown towel
can be the squishy mud, a blue scarf can represent the river, scattered pencils will be good
for the branches in the forest, and a green shirt can work for the tall grass. .

Not just the props, you may also have to arrange for the tools to display them. Card
boards , felt board, glue tag, double sided tape, easel are few such examples.

Build the props well and let them last for years.

Practice telling the story using the prop/s .

You may have an idea about exactly how the props will fit into the story, but if you are
even a least bit uncomfortable or clumsy due to lack of practice , the experience can get
marred. You should practice even harder if you are going to tackle something more
complex like an Origami because a shape has to definitely emerge at the end. You cannot
go wrong with any of the steps! Also, during practice, you get an opportunity to consider
factors like at what point in the story will you bring out the prop? If you want to bring it
later in the story, where will you keep it for that period of time? If you need your hands
free , how will you display the props? All these questions pop up and are tackled during the
practice stage. Sometimes you build a prop but maybe during practice, you discover that it
doesn’t work the way you had expected it to or maybe it falls apart. So you can address
these concerns or fix these problems during the practice phase.

Be familiar with the performance space

Check or enquire about your performance space. Does it have the right settings- the kind
you need? Maybe you need a table for your props then find out is it long enough, tall
enough? Is there a place to park your props if you do not intend to use the props
throughout the story and bring them out to surprise your audience at a certain point in
the story. You may even need an easel to set your story board on. You may have to ask
the organizer or arrange for these yourself.
Always be on the lookout for possible props.

If you enjoy using props, look for new ones in unlikely places. Buy them on your travels,
exhibitions, local stores, music shops.

General trivia around props

Did you know that you can make use of props to introduce yourself as the storyteller. You
may choose to wear a certain jacket or play a harmonica, don a scarf or cap everytime you
tell a story. These props become your identity .

A very commonly asked question is whether props can be used across all age groups? My
answer to this is YES though it works really well for young children. Nevertheless get
creative and bring them on even while sharing stories with young adults/ adults.

What do we do if children want to touch props? A small conversation before the story
session can help. Sensitize them to the hard work you have put in. To keep them safe and
make them last longer, build them with materials which will make them sturdy .

Don’t aim for perfection. Do your best. Make the props with love and care and enjoy using
them. A story without props can be as effective as one without it. Make them only if you
enjoy the process.