When you think of storytelling, what comes to mind? Maybe a child sitting down to write a story, pencil ready and paper waiting. But children share ideas in all kinds of ways. They may tell you a story out loud, draw what they’re imagining, act it out, connect it to something that happened in their life, or take a little time to think before they’re ready to share.

And some children have the whole story ready before you’ve found a place to sit down.

There isn’t one “right” way to be a storyteller.

The Storyteller Profile can help us notice how a child likes to explore and express ideas. It includes five profiles: Spark Starter, Visual Visionary, Quiet Genius, Story Hustler, and Story Connector. These profiles are not boxes to put children in. Think of them as clues that can help us understand what may make a child feel comfortable sharing what’s on their mind.

Meet the five Storyteller Profiles

Spark Starter

A Spark Starter may come to you with a question, a surprising thought, or five ideas before you’ve finished your coffee. You can help that spark grow by asking, “Which one do you want to explore first?” You may want to keep a notebook nearby. You never know when the next big idea will show up—in the car, at dinner, or right when you’re trying to leave the house.

Visual Visionary

A Visual Visionary may see the story before finding the words for it. Drawing a character, sketching a setting, or mapping out what happens next can help bring the idea to life. If you hear, “I need to draw it first,” that is not a detour. That may be exactly where the story begins.

Quiet Genius

A Quiet Genius may need a little time to think before sharing. Give them room to plan, draw, write, or talk when they’re ready. Quiet doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on; sometimes the ideas are still coming together. We don’t have to fill every quiet moment with, “So, what are you thinking?” The story may need a minute.

Story Hustler

A Story Hustler may be ready to jump in, try things out, and keep the ideas moving. You can help by giving them a place to capture those ideas, then asking which ones they want to keep building. Because when the ideas are coming fast, it can be hard to remember whether the dog became a superhero before or after the spaceship showed up.

Story Connector

A Story Connector may connect an idea to a person, a memory, an experience, or another story. Try asking, “What does that remind you of?” You might be surprised by where the connection takes them. One small question can lead to a story about a grandparent, a trip, a favorite book, and somehow the family dog.

A child might recognize themselves in more than one profile. Their approach may change depending on the story, the day, or how comfortable they feel. The point isn’t to make every child create the same way. It’s to help them see that their ideas matter and the way they create counts.

How can we support a child’s storytelling?

We can start by noticing what a child is already doing and getting curious about their idea before we jump in with corrections. Try saying, “Tell me more about that,” or “Would you like to draw it, talk it through, or write it down?”

Then let the child make some choices. Supporting a child’s story doesn’t mean taking it over. It means offering encouragement, asking helpful questions, and giving them room to remain the creator. We can be helpful without becoming the story’s unofficial director.

When we pay attention to how a child likes to explore ideas, we can offer support that feels more natural to them. A child who wants to draw first might enjoy having a sketchbook nearby. A child who needs time may benefit from a quiet moment. A child with lots of ideas may appreciate help choosing which one to explore first—before the cast grows to seventeen characters.

The Storyteller Profile is a free assessment for parents and caregivers who want to learn more about a child’s creative preferences. It can give you a starting point for a conversation and remind you that there’s more than one way to tell a story.

Explore the free Storyteller Profile assessment:

Take the Free Storyteller Profile™ Assessment

Every child has a story to tell. Let’s make room for the way they choose to tell it.