Our findings…

Following our research into the link between writing and communication and language, we have found out that children’s story writing improves when they are able to say their story orally first.

We chose familiar stories and read these with the children, encouraging them to recall and retell the story as a group. They then created a story map to help remember the story all the way to the end. We added actions to this too! The children rehearsed the story in a group and independently to internalise it. This strategy was particularly effective with children who are reluctant to speak out or remember familiar stories.

Once the children felt secure in orally telling the story, we asked them to have a go at writing the story from their memory. The children produced some wonderful pieces of writing that they were able to talk confidently about! They were confident to have a go as they knew already what they wanted to write! The children were extremely enthusiastic and very proud of their achievements.