Story From Three Objects

Why Story From Three Objects works

Story From Three Objects is designed to practice clear language, connected ideas, and responsive listening through a sequence that begins when the child is asked to introduce a character and setting. Build a story that must include three chosen objects in meaningful roles rather than merely mentioning them. The opening action leads directly into the moment when the child is asked to bring the first object into the story with a purpose.

Set up — Introduce a character and setting

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to introduce a character and setting. Keep the space simple enough that the child can move from introduce a character and setting to bring the first object into the story with a purpose without rearranging everything. Keep topics comfortable and family-safe; nobody has to reveal private information while the child works through the first instruction to introduce a character and setting.

Step 2 — Bring the first object into the story with a purpose

After the child tries to bring the first object into the story with a purpose, ask one brief question about the result. Connect their answer to the next request to use the second object to create or solve a problem rather than explaining it for them.

Step 3 — Use the second object to create or solve a problem

Have the child use the second object to create or solve a problem before offering a solution. What happens here should help them understand how to make the third object matter to the ending, especially compared with the earlier request to bring the first object into the story with a purpose.

Step 4 — Make the third object matter to the ending

Give the child time to make the third object matter to the ending and notice the result. The following instruction to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary should use what they learned after previously trying to use the second object to create or solve a problem.

Step 5 — Retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary

Allow room for a mistake while the child tries to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary. A self-correction here is more useful than fast repetition before the child moves on to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary.

What to notice before Retell the story and check that all three…

Use the attempt to use the second object to create or solve a problem as the observation point. If the child understands why they are next asked to make the third object matter to the ending, the final request to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary should feel connected.

Make Use the second object to create or… easier or harder

A shorter version can finish after the child has tried to use the second object to create or solve a problem, using this support: use one familiar topic and shorter turns. An advanced version can continue to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary after you change the audience, viewpoint, or language constraint.

Finish after Retell the story and check that all three…

Let the final request to retell the story and check that all three objects were necessary be the last check. If the child can show how it connects to the earlier request to use the second object to create or solve a problem, end there and choose the next activity through the activity search or activity generator.