Story play is an early childhood classroom activity which integrates dramatic play with a read aloud. Children listen to the story as is typically done, then they take on the roles of the characters and act out the story’s major events. Story time play increases students’ engagement in the story, to support language development, and increase the students’ understanding of story elements such as characters, settings, and major events.

Story play is usually done during the read aloud period. The teacher reads the book aloud and explains any new vocabulary words, focuses on the characters, setting, and major events. On the second day, the story play is introduced, typically using props and the children act out the story while the teacher reads the book aloud. Story play can be done in whole group, small group, or as a center activity.

Purchase the Story Play book for ideas to get started and extend story play in your classroom. Visit our Video Library to see story play in action.

Story Play at Bridgeton Public Schools, New Jersey

The Story Play Initiative began in May, 2021 as an effort to improve young children’s language development and literacy learning about story elements. The project was conceived and led by Barbara Wilchensky, the Director of Curriculum for English Language Arts. All teachers in Pre-K, K, and 1st grade participated in professional development sessions in the fall of 2021. Throughout the school year, teachers were offered in-classroom coaching with Dr. Muriel Rand, a professor of early childhood education at New Jersey City University. This website highlights the classrooms of many of the teachers who graciously allowed us to video record their classes, with permission from their families. The Story Play Initiative will continue in the 2022-2023 school year. More to come!

The Story Play book is now available!

This book includes a section on getting started with story play, suggestions for extending story play into other areas of the curriculum, and a examples of many story play ideas and recommended books. Click on the book for a paid link to purchase on amazon.