STORYTIME
 
     
Materials Purpose Process
 
 
 
 
 
MATERIALS
 
Depending on the child's interest and experience with books, select a story that would be of interest to your child. It may be one with only pictures or it could be one with lots of print. The choice is yours. The print in the book should be large enough to make for pleasant viewing. If the print is too small, there is a tendency for the child to look away.
 
 
 
PURPOSE
 
     
This activity is designed for the child to listen to the story then repeat it in their own words. You may find that in the beginning the child may need some prompting particularly with the sequence of events. However, after a few sessions, you will find that the prompting becomes less and less. This is a listening exercise. This should be kept first and foremost in the mind. The child is using his or her ears.
 
 
     
PROCESS
 
1. Find a comfortable place to sit where the child can sit beside you or can sit in your lap. It is essential that the child see the pages of the book. Some parents find bedtime an excellent time to do this activity. It not only relaxes the child before going to sleep but also provides a situation where you and the child are alone and quiet after the hectic endeavors of the day.
 
   
     
2. Make sure that the child is comfortable and can see the pages of the book without straining.

3. Read some of the story to the child maybe four or five sequenced events.

4. Ask the child what was it that you just read. In otherwords, ask them to repeat the story so far in their own words. This is where the prompting may come in. Questions such as: What do you think? What has happened in the story so far? Why did ____ jump over the fence? The questions can be as varied as the stories read. It is wise not to read too much at the start simply because the child won't remember. Keep the sequence of events down to four or five.

5. Even if your child doesn't get any of the sequence, simply go on reading the rest of the story. Remember this is a listening activity. However, there is a bit of reading activity here also.

6. As the child gets better at retelling the sequence of events in the story, have them predict how the story would end, have them change the end of the story, or continue telling the story.

7. Telling simple jokes can also give your child a sense of sequence. Tell them a simple joke and get them to repeat it. "Knock, Knock" jokes can be fun.