When Eli was almost three years old, we made a story basket. We found little toys and objects to represent characters or elements in a story, then put them all in a star-shaped basket. Eli could poke through the basket and pick three objects that I would use to create a story.
The basket was pretty and it was easy for Eli to choose items from inside, yet out of sight was out of mind. Even though the basket was in plain view, we usually forgot about it.
After we moved, I found a great antique glass jar to put the story items in instead. But no matter how good it looked or functioned, it wasn't kid-safe. So not long ago Eli and I went searching for a plastic jar with a mouth wide enough that even an adult could stick their hand in. We wanted the jar to be clear so we'll see the contents easily too. We found just the thing at the crafts store...
Now we do stories at the breakfast table several times a week.
I let Eli shop for a few new story items now that he is bigger and his interests have blossomed. Hobby Lobby stores have a dollhouse section and many of these items are just right for a story jar. Eli picked out a package of teeny metal tools including a hammer, a crescent wrench, and a screwdriver, each shorter than his thumb.
In Hobby Lobby's clearance section, we also found sewing buttons in the shape of happy monsters. Those have been a big hit and frequently are the heroes in our stories.
I love having story times again. It is a cheerful way to enjoy breakfast together. But the best part is that now Eli and I take turns picking the objects and telling the stories. I love getting a peek into his thoughts and imagination. Here are two of Eli's recent stories...
Once upon a time, there was a sea turtle who loved a bowling
ball. And then one day the door
got locked. The sea turtle was
outside but the bowling ball was inside.
They took the door and lifted it up so the ball could roll
underneath. Then the turtle had his
ball and he was happy.
The end.
Once upon a time there was a penguin and he went looking for the sun so he could get warm. He looked here and there but he didn’t find it. Then he heard a noise that sounded like “clunk. “ It was the sun (fallen from the sky)! He picked it up and carried it home to put on his cold stone chair. Then he could sit on top of it and be warm. The end.
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