Course Content

Session 1 – Why Stories Matter

Storytelling traditions in Hindu culture. The role of stories in shaping moral imagination and
childhood learning.
Session 2 – Understanding the Young Reader
Age categories in children’s literature including picture books, early readers, chapter books, and
middle-grade fiction.
Session 3 – Elements of a Story
Introduction to character, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.
Session 4 – Characters Children Love
Developing memorable protagonists and understanding character motivations.
Session 5 – Setting and Cultural Context
Creating authentic settings and incorporating cultural elements responsibly.
Session 6 – Plot and Story Structure
Story arcs, adventure plots, mystery structures, and folklore-inspired narratives.
Session 7 – Genre in Children’s Literature
Exploration of genres including adventure, mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, and folklore.
Session 8 – The Lekha Way: Creative Flow
Creative techniques for generating ideas and overcoming writer’s block.
Session 9 – Writing Dialogue and Scenes
Dialogue, pacing, and scene construction in children’s stories.
Session 10 – Ethics and Responsibility in Storytelling
Researching sources and understanding the responsibility of representing cultural traditions.
Session 11 – Revision and Presentation
Editing, revising, and sharing completed stories.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Methods
The course will combine short lectures, guided discussions, writing exercises, and peer feedback.
Participants will engage in structured creative activities using the Lekha Way methodology to generate ideas and overcome writer’s block. Each session includes practical writing exercises designed to help participants apply the concepts discussed in class.