Your child will love acting out their favourite story, whether walking in the park, in the garden or even around the house. Children love to pretend and when you join in, it gets even more exciting!

Things you will need

• A favourite story or nursery rhyme
• Any props, such as dress­ ups (optional)

How to Do It

Read a story/rhyme together and discuss which characters you each want to be. Perhaps there are other family and friends who would also like to join in.

Consider the props you or your child might like to gather and use to bring this story alive, e.g. dress-ups or kitchen utensils such as bowls and spoons. Consider creating caves and homes with blankets and cushions – you may even like to close the curtains and use a torch to create a spooky atmosphere! Put some enthusiasm into your storytelling or rhyme and discuss what is happening within the story. There are so many stories and rhymes that can be acted out, such as:

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
• A Summery Saturday Morning – by Margaret Mahy
• The Three Billy Goats Gruff
• The Three Little Pigs
• Miss Polly Had a Dolly
• Five Little Speckled Frogs
• Incy Wincy Spider

What Learning is Occurring?

• Language – an opportunity to learn new words
• Helps develop a love of books
• Encourages an understanding of the world – both real and imagined
• Encourages empathy and understanding
• Taking turns, negotiation and social skills

Tips

• Encourage your child to think of some alternative versions of their favourite story – this is a great way to encourage creativity. For instance: what starts out as a bear hunt could become an African safari; or the big bad wolf might turn out to simply need a friend and he moves in with the three little pigs!

Age Considerations

• Babies: play some music while you are reading that matches the tone of the story. Your words accompanied to music will bring the story to life.
• Toddler: props and costumes will support busy toddler bodies to engage with a story. What household items can you find to create music and sound effects to bring your family’s favourite stories to life?
• Kinder: create a small world that brings your child’s book life. Household items like plants, fabric, Lego or cardboard boxes can be used to create an ‘interactive’ book.
• Transition to School: using dress ups and your child’s favourite story as inspiration, put on a play, or a retelling of the story and video it for the whole family to watch later with a snack.

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