Let preschoolers tell their own stories with this simple preschool literacy activity. This pre-reading activity helps preschoolers to understand that the words on the page communicate a story.

Preschoolers will love to illustrate their own stories and have their own narration added to the page. This preschool literacy activity can be done at home with mom and dad or in an educational preschool setting.

What You Need

Storytelling paper (Blank paper will do if you do not have this)
Crayons, markers, and pencils
A creative preschooler
A caring adult or preschool teacher

What To Do

Read a favorite story before beginning this activity and talk with the preschoolers about the parts of the story. Explain that all stories need a beginning, middle, and end. See if the preschoolers can pick out the events in the story that made up the beginning, middle, and end.

Give each preschooler a piece of storytelling paper and some drawing materials. Tell each preschooler to make up their own story in their mind. Tell the preschoolers that once they have decided what story they want to tell they need to illustrate, or draw a picture on the paper that tells the story.

When each preschooler has finished illustrating their story, have them bring their storytelling paper to a parent or teacher. Ask the preschooler to tell you want words they want to be written down on their paper. Have them tell you the story that they have illustrated and write their words beneath the picture.

Preschoolers will be so excited to have their own words down on paper and will be thrilled to show off their very own story. This activity teaches valuable pre-literacy skills. Preschoolers will understand that the words written on their page stand for their thoughts and they will have the chance to practice their storytelling skills.