Your child will use the illustrations from a book to retell the story.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Reading and Writing
MATERIALS
- children’s book with characters and a clear plot (beginning, middle, end)
- optional: chair for the storyteller
LET'S PLAY
Begin by sitting with your child and saying, “Let’s be storytellers today. When you tell a story, you can talk about the characters, the setting, and the plot. The characters are people or animals in the story. The setting is where the story happens or takes place. The plot is what happens in the story; it usually has a beginning, middle, and end. After we read this book, you will retell the story in your own words!”
Read the book aloud. If your child is able, have them read some parts of the book to you. When you reach the end of the book, turn back to the first page.
Say, “Now you can use the pictures to help you retell the story. Remember to use your own words instead of the author’s words on the page.” Help your child remember as much as possible about the characters, setting, and major events by asking questions as needed:
- Who are the characters in the story?
- Where did the story happen or take place?
- What happened first? What happened next?
- What was the problem in the story?
- How did the character solve the problem?
- What happened at the end of the story?
When they finish retelling the story to you, see if they can retell it to another family member without pictures!
TIPS
- If your child is not sure where to begin, look at the first page of the book together and ask what happened at the beginning of the story. Continue using the pictures to support your child.
- Look for props in your home (e.g., puppets, dolls, or objects from the story) that your child can use to help retell the story.
- You can take turns retelling parts of the story and acting them out together!