Sound Story Bags
To develop listening, anticipation, and early narrative links through sound-based story props.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Listens attentively during stories
- Anticipates sounds
- Explores props
- Shows excitement at familiar story moments
Materials
- Fabric bags with sound-making props
- Simple story scripts
- Shakers, bells, squeaky toys
- Textured story props
Instructions
Prepare a simple story bag: 'A Walk in the Woods'. Contents: a bell (for the wind in the trees), a shaker (for rain), a squeaky bird (for a bird calling), rough fabric (for the tree bark), soft fur (for finding a rabbit).
Tell the story slowly, building anticipation before each sound. 'And then it started to rain...' [pause, look in bag, pull out shaker] ...SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE. Let babies touch and explore each prop as it appears.
Repeat the same story bag multiple times — familiarity is the point. By the third or fourth telling, babies will show anticipation as you reach into the bag before the prop appears.
Let babies hold the sound-making props and make the sounds themselves during the story. 'It's time for the rain! Can you shake it? Yes! SHAKE!' This makes them an active participant in the narrative.
Keep the story very short: two to three sound moments is enough. A complex story loses very young children. Simple, repeating, sensory stories hold attention most effectively.
End with a final prop that can be left for free exploration: 'And the rabbit went to sleep. Here's your rabbit — he's so soft.' This creates a clear story ending and a tangible memory of the experience.