2.5y–4.2y12 minReadingFamily timeFree play
Our Story Sack at Home
Make a simple story sack/box with props and use it to retell and predict a familiar story together, then keep it for repeat use at home.
What you'll need
Essentials
- reusable shopping bag or pillowcase (story sack) or a shoebox
- a favourite picture book or a very familiar story
- 3-6 safe household objects or small toys to represent characters/props
- paper and a marker or crayons
- tape
Nice to have
- stickers or coloured paper
- string or ribbon
- phone camera (optional) to take a photo of your finished sack
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneTalks through a pictured storyMind· 4.2y–5y· core
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneSupported familiar-story retellingMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Listens to and joins in with stories and poems, one-to-one and also in small groups.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Suggests how the story might end.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide story sacks and boxes and make them with the children for use in the setting and at home.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)