Long before the invention of the printing press, fables, myths, and tales were being shared with young children. Each time the tale was told, it was shaped by the teller's interpretation and expression. Today there are literally thousands of wonderful books available for children. But you shouldn't be afraid, once in awhile, to put down a book and spin a yarn for your young child. You have the opportunity to bring a story to life. Use different voices and facial expressions to add interest. Encouraging children to make up stories is a great way to facilitate imagination as well as promote both early verbal and written literacy skills. Get started by involving children as you develop a tale.

Story in a Bag

Here is a way you can spark your child's creativity and encourage her to create her own stories.

• Place five or six common objects into a paper bag. Suggested items include keys, a bell, a comb, and a flower.

• Have your child remove the items from the bag. You can either have your child look at all of the items at once, or have her remove the objects one at a time. Help her create a story incorporating these items. For example, “One day a man heard a bell ring. He combed his hair. He used his keys to lock his door and he took a flower to his friend.”

• Consider having your child draw illustrations for her story. Alternatively, write down her story so that you can reread it together.

Fill-in Story

This is a silly activity, like the school-age game of Mad-Libs. Each story will be unique.

• Glue the pictures to the index cards, and place them in a hat.

• Recite a well-known nursery rhyme or fairy tale. Stop at points in the story where a substitution can be made. Ask your child to pull a card from the hat.

• Substitute the new word into the story for a silly result. For example, “Little Red Riding Hood was taking a basket to her grandmother. Her mom reminded her to take flowers with her also” might become, “Little Red Riding Hood was taking a rake to her grandmother. Her mom reminded her to take kittens with her also.”

Next Line, Please

This is a game that can be played by all members in your family. This a great activity for long plane rides or when you have to wait somewhere.

• Each person takes a turn by adding a sentence to the evolving story. No one player can have control over what will happen, but the adult may need to keep the story somewhat on track.

• Your new story may evolve like this:

  Parent: One day there was a bear who …

  Child: Lived in a house.

  Parent: This bear was hungry and …

  Child: The boy likes toys.

  Parent: So they got together to get lunch and go to the toy store. When they got there they saw …

• Once again, consider having your child draw illustrations for his story. Alternatively, write down her story so that you can reread it together.