Making a Story Bag

Purpose:

Creating a story bag is a great way to use real objects from around the home to engage the child in a hands-on reading experience. This will encourage your child to touch and explore the objects/materials which is a first step in tactile discrimination. You can either make up your own simple stories or use a published book to gather materials.

Materials:

Collect objects/materials that are mentioned in a story. These should be readily available objects that your child encounters around their home. Once gathered, store them in a bag or box that will help keep them together, at the ready for frequent exploration & reading.

Tips for book selection:

• Try to find books that are part of a routine like bedtime, bath time, getting dressed, or items for going outside.

• Try to find books that involve activities that take place in common everyday settings like the home or school.

• Try to avoid books that mention objects that are imaginary, too large, or too far away:

• Avoid using plastic animals representing the real thing. Maybe if going outside with the family dog, a close replica of a stuffy dog could be used in a pretend way.

Ideas for infants:

● For infants, parents/caregivers can help to collect objects related to a board book that refers to real objects. There might be single objects on each page like ball, toothbrush, spoon, etc.

● Store the objects with the book in a large Ziplock bag box or a tote bag.

● If an object is new to your child, explore the characteristics of the object then place it in the bag, I.e.: hard, smooth, cold, has a scent, etc.

● For a child with multiple exceptionalities, start with his/her strength, such as favourite toys or objects used during favourite activities and write a simple story with the object, and the child as the focus of the story.

Reading the Story

● Handle the objects in the box one at a time giving your child lots of time to explore. Comment on the item’s size, its shape, its texture and name the item. Children with vision loss and blindness benefit from an adult’s modeling the function of the item. If it’s a spoon, pretend to eat. If it’s a shoe, try it on. Allow your child to explore freely. Compare items.

● After tactually exploring the items place them aside. Read the story and once again present the items as they are mentioned in the story. Avoid clutter. Too many items at once can be very confusing for young children with blindness.

● When reading, have fun. Use sound effects and dramatic intonation to peak your child’s interest.

● Just do a little at a time. You need not present all the items in a box with each reading. Determine your child’s interest and attention so as not to overwhelm them with stuff.

● When you are finished with the story box put clear closure on the activity by stating “the end.” Let them observe while you place the objects back in the box. As your child gets older, encourage them to help - thus providing another opportunity to handle the objects.