| There are always times when your child claims | | | | story, have them remove them. If they find a |
| boredom. There are also moments when you | | | | different picture to add another element to their story, |
| are looking for something educational, yet fun and | | | | let them add them. |
| simple to do as a family. With little materials and | | | |  |
| even less preparation, you can easily entertain and | | | | The more pictures you have, the more creativity will |
| educate your child, plus, it can be fun for everyone | | | | come from your child. |
| involved. | | | | Â |
| Â | | | | After your child gets the hang of it, start using the |
| The whole family can play this simple game while | | | | larger words you cut from the magazines and have |
| exploring the creative side of your children. Add | | | | them use them as well. They can place them |
| a little touch and help kids learn to read. | | | | under the picture or use them instead of a picture to |
| Â | | | | enhance their story. |
| You know those magazines that you are done reading | | | | Â |
| and unsure what to do with them? Save | | | | For fun, let the child arrange pictures and you make up |
| them. They make a fun family game. | | | | the story. Then, you lay out the pictures and |
| Â | | | | have your child tell the story. |
| Sit with your children and look at the pictures. | | | |  |
| Anything that may look interesting, cut them out and | | | | If the story is especially good, get out some |
| lay them in a pile. Use as many pictures or giant | | | | construction paper and glue the pictures to the |
| words (header words in large print) as possible. | | | | paper. If your child can write, have them write |
| For example: If it is a picture of a book, cut it | | | | out the story under the pictures. If your child |
| out. Even if it is an action, such as: | | | | can not write, have them dictate the story to |
| washing dishes, cut it out. Try to get as many | | | | you. They have just made their own |
| different pictures as possible with a lot of variety. | | | | book. And, this will probably be their very |
| Â | | | | favorite bedtime story! |
| Now, here is where you can get elaborate or | | | | Â |
| simple. You are going to use these pictures to | | | | This craft project is easy to use and vary, depending |
| let your child make their own story. So, you can | | | | on the ability of your child. You can get overly |
| get a felt storyboard or even a magnetic | | | | involved with them or you can teach them how to do |
| board. Or, you can just use the kitchen | | | | it and use it as a quiet time activity when you need to |
| table. Anything flat will work. | | | | get a project done. |
| Â | | | | Â |
| Let your child arrange the pictures any way they | | | | Either way, this is a fun game for everyone. It is |
| wish. They don't need to use all of them, just as | | | | easy to prepare, easier to use, no mess, no |
| many as they want. | | | | fuss. And, it is fun and educational. What |
| Â | | | | more can you ask of magazines you were going to |
| After they have laid out the pictures, have them make | | | | throw away? |
| up a story. If certain pictures don't fit in their | | | | |