Retelling with Small World
To deepen story comprehension through small world play retelling of familiar stories.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Retells key events in sequence
- Uses story language
- Manipulates figures to match narrative
- Adapts stories creatively
Materials
- Small world figures matching familiar stories
- Story baskets
- Tray or mat for play
- Laminated story sequence cards
Instructions
Create 'story baskets' for favourite tales: 'The Three Bears' basket contains three bears, a girl figure, three bowls, three chairs, three beds, and the book. Everything needed to retell the story is in the basket.
Read the story first, then model retelling with the figures: 'Once upon a time, there were three bears...' [move bear figures]. 'They went for a walk...' [walk figures away]. 'Then Goldilocks came in...' [bring girl figure to house].
Invite children to take over: 'What happens next? Can you show me with the figures?' Follow the child's retelling even if they deviate from the original — creative adaptation is valid literacy behaviour.
Add story sequence cards (laminated pictures of key events) to support retelling. Children can lay these out, then use figures to act out each scene.
Observe for story language: 'once upon a time', 'and then', 'happily ever after'. Note which children use these phrases — it shows internalised narrative structure.
Leave story baskets accessible during free play. Children who retell stories independently are engaging in self-directed literacy practice.