The soft toy extravaganza!

Practising and putting on a show is a great experience for a child – with the excitement of performance and the applause of their audience! They also get to tell a story. This is an important skill in learning to read. Children can use their acting skills and imaginations as they change their voices for different characters. They can also find ways to make their story entertaining.

 What do I need?

• Soft toys – for the characters in the play
• Props – things to create the scenes with

 How do I do it?

1. Think of a story your child knows well. (It would be helpful to read the story again, to remind your child what happens.)
2. Make a list of the main things that happen in the story and make sure they are in the right order. Remember that stories have a beginning, something that happens and then an ending.
3. If remembering the story is tricky, help your child by drawing some pictures of the key moments in the story. Your child can use these pictures during their play, to remind them what happens next.
4. Choose a place for the stage – such as a low table, a large box, the couch or a bed. Whatever is handy, it can even be a space on the floor. 
5. Ask your child to choose a toy for each role and any spare toys can be in the audience.
6. With your child, practice moving and making the toys tell the story. Remember that the characters might need to say what they are doing. 

When you are happy with your play, see if you can find a human audience.

• Think about creating a poster, tickets and a program.
• Perform your play and wait for the clapping!

No-one knows your child better than you.  So, choose and/or adapt ideas here to best suit you and your child. Remember it’s the talking and time spent together that matters most.