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Educator guide · Ages 3–5

Early literacy, shared your way

Choose a small-group or whole-group starting point, then bring a familiar story to life with simple props.

Early literacy

GET READY TO PLAY

Materials checklist

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SMALL GROUP

Make room for every storyteller

A practical starting point is 2–4 children.

Read together at an easy pace so each child has room to choose a moment, use a prop, or simply watch before joining in.

Start with the story

  1. 1

    Choose one familiar picture book and set out two or three safe props from its story.

  2. 2

    Read the book together, then invite children to use a prop to retell a favorite moment or suggest what happens next.

  3. 3

    Ask, “What might happen after that?” Give each child time to answer in their own way.

ACTIVITY

Story Basket Retell

Choose a familiar picture book and place two or three safe props in a basket.

Small-group idea: Keep the basket within reach and offer one prop at a time. Children can take turns retelling a favorite moment with a prop, a gesture, or pointing—or watch until they are ready.

A GROWN-UP PROMPT

“What might happen after that?”

Make it easier to join: Retell one favorite moment with one prop, gesture, or pointing.

Safety: Choose age-appropriate props without small parts and supervise their use.

Full instructions for Story Basket Retell

WHOLE GROUP

Let the whole group join the story

Gather the group for one shared read-aloud.

Keep the props visible to everyone. A grown-up can model one favorite moment first, then invite contributions from around the group.

Start with the story

  1. 1

    Choose one familiar picture book and place two or three safe, age-appropriate props where the whole group can see them.

  2. 2

    Read aloud together and model using one prop to retell a favorite moment.

  3. 3

    Invite children to add another story moment or share what could happen next. Use the props to help everyone follow along.

ACTIVITY

Story Basket Retell

Choose a familiar picture book and place two or three safe props in a basket.

Whole-group idea: Place two or three safe props where everyone can see. Model one story moment, then invite children to choose a prop or add what might happen next; speaking, pointing, and watching all count as joining.

A GROWN-UP PROMPT

“What might happen after that?”

Make it easier to join: Retell one favorite moment with one prop, gesture, or pointing.

Safety: Choose age-appropriate props without small parts and supervise their use.

Full instructions for Story Basket Retell