The Preschooler

Story in a Bag

Storytelling is an art that some people have mastered with their wonderful creative abilities.  I, on the other hand, seem to be lacking in spur of the moment creativity, and find it difficult to procure a story on the spot.  However, I recently discovered a great way to practice my storytelling while involving my preschooler in the process.

Begin by gathering some random items from around the house.  Place them all on a bag.  (A pillowcase works nicely, as well.)  Sit down with your child and have her pull one item from the bag.  For each item that is removed, say one or two sentences that include that item.  For example, if you first pull out a stuffed rabbit, you may begin your story with something like, “One bright spring morning we were walking through the woods when we say a rabbit searching for clover.”  If the second item is a coin, your child might say, “The rabbit saw something shiny in the grass.  It was a penny.”

The trick is to come up with ways to change your story so that you are able to include the next item that is pulled from the bag.  It takes some practice, but before you know it, you and child will be expert storytellers, and you will stretched your thinking at the same time.

Resource: Kuffner, Trish (1998). The Preschooler’s Busy Book. Minnetoba, MN: Meadowbrook Press.

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Written by Laura on November 22, 2010