Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1
Cut the printables along the dotted lines.
Tip
If you print the cards on heavy paper and keep the cards together with a rubber band, you can throw the bundle in your bag as an on-the-go game.
Step 2
Lay the cards face-up. Let someone draw one (or several) of the cards as inspiration for the start of a story.
Step 3
Give everyone a chance to add on to the story, using the cards as inspiration. As the story is being told, have each narrator line up the card(s) in chronological order so that everyone can remember the sequence of events. As your kids play with these cards, they'll learn about sequencing and teamwork skills that will definitely come in handy as they develop their reading abilities and return to school. Plus, storytelling from an early age helps kids express thoughts and feelings, consider new ideas, and understand cause and effect.
Tip
Here are some other ways to use these cards:
Instead of spreading out all the cards face-up, choose just a handful at random and rearrange those cards to tell a story.
Stack up the cards. Draw one card at a time and take turns adding on to a story.
Think of and sort the cards by different categories (e.g., things that are alive, things that we saw this summer, things that are green).