A Band-Aide Story

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I've been an early childhood educator for over 45 years. I usually shy away from anything that remotely resembles a worksheet, but I make an exception for this activity.

All you need to do this is a paper with an outline of a child, some markers, crayons or oil pastels, a box of tiny band-aides and some teacher time.

I consider this story a language activity rather than art. The idea is to get them talking and maybe write down some of their words.

Here's the story starter. You can click on the poster below and make copies, or make up your own version of the story.

Once upon a time, there was a child who got an owie. And this is what happened....

You supply the beginning of a story about an owie and allow one small real band-aide per child.

You could have them tell you a story and write it down on their paper or just let them take turns talking. The child in the story could be themselves or anyone else.

Let them color or decorate their stories if they want to but don't expect them to color inside of the lines.

You could help them open and apply the band-aide to their pictures or let them open it themselves for a problem-solving activity.

It depends on their developmental levels and your teacher-to-child ratio.

If you've ever had a conversation with a young child about their injuries, you'll know how children will be drawn to this activity.

The hardest part for the teacher is to get the children to take turns talking. It works best when one teacher sits down with one child by themselves for a few minutes to get the story. If that's not possible in your teaching environment, you may have to improvise or implement it at a time when you have another teacher available to field issues with the rest of the class.

I hope you have as much fun with this activity as I have over the years!

Nanci

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  (click on the word) She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.