A Festival Year of Stories:
Elemental Storytelling
Live Interactive Storytelling!
Each week, our young storytellers meet live via zoom to tell each other stories and develop long lasting relationships built on trust.
Full Curriculum
Each participant will learn a storytelling in nature curriculum complete with short video lessons, downloadable practice sheets and bonus courses and handbooks.
Collaborative Storytelling Community
All our young storytellers will learn communication techniques where every story begins by listening and paying attention.
Restorative Storytelling Skills
Story Listening, Intuitive Navigation, Authentic Presence, and Story Foraging are a few of the tools each storyteller will learn.
Wednesdays with Becky
Stories, imagination, color, music and song all in one elemental class!
Thursdays with Joia
The same stories, imagination, color, music and song in the midday class!
Each Element has a Storytelling Gift
Each of the four elements corresponds with a quality of energy and action:
AIR: Inspiration, Intuition, and the descriptions in a story
FIRE: Motivation, Energy, and the action in a story
EARTH: Empathy, Emotion, and connection with the listener
WATER: Containment, Objectivity, and the form of a story
The Elemental Teachers
Joia, and Becky are certified in Restorative Storytelling™ and have years of experience working with children.
Storyteller and Musician Joia Wood
Joia Wood is a creative mindfulness facilitator and coach, celebrated vocalist, multi-faceted artist, and educator with over 30 years of experience working with children and families. Her approach is trauma-informed and spectrum-celebratory, and she delights in fostering creativity, connection, and learning through mindfulness, music, nature, and the arts. Joia currently resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and offers mindful, playful practices for all ages through improvisational sound, movement, and story. Learn more about Joia here.
Storyteller, Educator, and Therapist Becky Taylor
Sky F (parent).
"Joia works from a place of deep knowing, where her spirit dances and sings and conjures. Her words are spells, her presence is healing."
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Jess (parent).
Becky holds any space fortunate enough to be graced by her magical presence, with a deep sense of attention, love and most of all, gentleness.
Rick L.
Aditya has been nothing but consistently enthusiastic about attending your program. It may be the only educational/social program that he has an unwavering appetite for over the years.
Jen S.
Freespinners has been a true highlight in my daughters week for the past two years. The teachers are simply the best. She learns so much and has such a magical experience with them. They bring out so much creativity and joy in the kids, it's a blast for my daughter and just as much fun for me when I hear her telling stories. It has been beautiful to watch her confidence grow as well and they have such a wonderful peer group. This is a must have class for us now in our weekly rhythm and will continue to be for as long as it's offered!
Amy B.
Even though Fenn is quieter than some students in your classes, he has done wonderfully in expanding his speaking, spontaneous processing and storytelling abilities. Most importantly, he feels safe and connected to your community of lively, storytelling students and adults. You two are magical mentors :) We look forward to him further stretching himself and growing in your classes :)
How are the Storytelling skills and tools taught?
But my child doesn't like to write, can they participate?
How are these courses different than other online courses?
You can learn the tools as well!
Restorative Storytelling Certification is what you've been seeking: learn custom storytelling strategies, become a master of reading the room, and transform your family and community through telling stories.
Get on the waiting list for the next cohort