Preschool Learning: Story Box Writing Activity

Everybody loves a good storyteller: They know how to structure a story and can describe anything that happens in their life in an amusing and interesting way. Of course, reading to your child is a great way to get them used to hearing how a story is structured (with a beginning, a middle and an end). But this activity will call upon your child's wild imagination to make up his own stories!
What you need:

• A small box or basket
• A random assortment of small objects or toys (a doll's baby bottle, action figure, ball, magnifying glass, etc.)

How to do it:

• Fill the box with 10 random toys. Make sure the toys are randomly selected and are not part of one particular theme or activity.
• Have your child reach into the box and choose some items. No peeking! (Younger children can start with just one item. Older children can pick out several items.)
• Now have your child try to tell a story about that item. (Older children will have to weave a tale that uses all of selected items in the same story.)
• You might need to help your child along. So lead them with ideas and sequence and give them transition words such as: First, next, then, suddenly, finally, so, because, the end. The more provide the story structure, the better your child will get at storytelling.

Brain-Building Bonus: Before your child gets into the the story, have your child describe the character and setting fist. What is special about this character (Age, gender, hair, eye color, etc.)? What kind of personality does he have? And where does the story take place: a beach, a jungle, a playground, school, a pet store? Helping you child to first set the stage will make him an even better storyteller!
How this builds brains:An awareness of basic story structure is the building block for all literacy skills. Knowing that stories have a beginning, middle and end, as well as what kinds of things you tell in each part of the story, will ultimately make your child a better reader and an excellent writer.
Get more brain-building activities for preschool learning! Check out our Brain Building Boot Camp with Dr. Christine Ricci.