Imagine waking up in the morning as your favourite book character. What adventures would you go on? What challenges would you face? What fun would you have? Getting into the shoes - or paws, or boots - of a beloved character is a wonderful way for children to dive deeper into stories, enhance their creativity, and build stronger comprehension skills.
At Aussie Kindies, we love encouraging children to use their imagination. One fun activity you might like to try at home is to encourage your child to think about what a typical day might look like for their favourite book character. Whether it's the mischievous antics of the Cat in the Hat, the brave deeds of Harry Potter, or the curious explorations of Little Miss Curious, there’s so much to explore!
Imagine & Create
Start by asking your child to think about their favourite character. What does this character do first thing in the morning? Do they have a special breakfast, or do they start their day with a grand adventure? Encourage your child to imagine what happens throughout the day - who does their character meet, where do they go, and what challenges do they overcome?
Write a short story: Have your child write a short story about a day in the life of their character. This could be as simple as a few sentences or a full page, depending on their age and ability. Maybe they could tell you the story and you write it down on their behalf. The key is to let their imagination run wild! Writing the story helps them practice narrative skills, and thinking about the sequence of events enhances their understanding of the story's structure.
Draw pictures: If your child loves to draw, suggest they illustrate the day instead. They could draw their character having breakfast, going on an adventure, or meeting a friend. Drawing helps children visualise the story, which is an important part of comprehension.
Act out scenes: For those who enjoy a bit of drama, acting out scenes from their character’s day can be loads of fun. Maybe they can pretend to be Max from Where the Wild Things Are, sailing to the land of the Wild Things and becoming their king, or they could be Peter Rabbit sneaking into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Acting out scenes helps children understand character motivation and the sequence of events in a story.
Deepen Their Connection to the Story
These activities do more than just keep children entertained - they help them connect with the story on a deeper level. By imagining what their favourite character does all day, children learn to think critically about the character's actions and motivations. This kind of creative engagement is excellent for developing empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Moreover, these activities can boost your child's literacy skills. Writing and storytelling enhance vocabulary and narrative skills, drawing reinforces comprehension, and acting out scenes helps with memory and sequencing. Plus, it’s a great way to spend quality time together, whether you’re writing, drawing, or putting on a little play!
Bringing Stories to Life
Encouraging your child to explore a day in the life of their favourite book character is a wonderful way to bring stories to life. It makes reading more interactive and fun, and it helps children develop a love for books that will last a lifetime. So, grab your favourite storybook, get creative, and let the adventures begin!
At Aussie Kindies, we’re always finding new ways to make reading exciting and engaging. We love to see the creativity and imagination that our little ones bring to their favourite stories. So next time you read together, why not ask, “What do you think your favourite character is doing today?” You might be surprised by the amazing stories your child will create!