Your Child Will Learn
How to tell a story
Here’s What to Do
- This is an activity for the whole family to join in! Tell your children and family members to gather around in a circle for a funny family story!
- Begin the story by saying a funny sentence that is real or imagined, like “Today I ate an apple and made friends with the worm living inside!”
- Ask the next person in the circle to tell the next part of the story. Each person keeps adding to the story until the story is complete.
- (Optional). Ask someone in the group to write down everyone’s sentences and read the whole story at the end.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Sit in a circle with your family in a comfortable space inside your home or outdoors. Take three deep breaths together…now we’re ready to begin!
ENGAGE
- “Once upon a time, there was a dragon who lived in a castle. Okay, your turn. What happens next in the story?”
- Laugh, be silly, and have fun with this activity.
ENCOURAGE
- If your child or children struggle to think of a sentence, suggest one element from the story for them to use in a sentence. If younger children are participating, help them turn a word they know into a sentence.
- Say, “that’s funny” or “way to be creative” when your child adds to the story.
REFLECT
- Ask your child or children to draw a picture about the story.
Not Quite Ready
Ask younger children to add a word to the story, and make it into a sentence for them. Or ask them a yes or no question, like, “Should the bear to to the forest or the beach?”
Ready for More
Make your family story into a picture book. Encourage your child to draw pictures of the story and write a few important words.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to tell a story out loud using use long, complex sentences with verbs, nouns, and adjectives.
Time to Complete
10 minutes
Materials Needed
OPTIONAL: paper and pencil to write down the sentences of the story