Learning to sound out letters is one aspect of learning to read. Remembering the details and re-telling stories is another aspect of learning to read that is just as important.
Being able to remember the story, characters, and events in a story aid in reading comprehension. This DIY Storytelling Necklace Inspired by Goodnight Moon combines creativity and story-retelling skills in an activity that your kids will love and remember.
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This month, the Virtual Book Club is featuring Margaret Wise Brown and the three books:
The Important Book, Goodnight Moon, and The Runaway Bunny
My children adore Margaret Wise Brown’s book, but Goodnight Moon has a special place in our hearts as it is a book I have read almost nightly to the children since they were born. We also read these bedtime stories.
Goodnight Moon Storytelling Necklace Craft
Materials Needed for the Storytelling Necklace
Directions to Make the Storytelling Necklace.
1. Read the story out loud.
2. Go back to the beginning and page through the book. Talk about the characters, objects, and colors that you see on each page. Encourage your child to point and name them.
3. Using the Polymer Clay, mold the characters and objects. You of course do not need to make them all. Let your child choose their favorites. Keep them small, but slightly rounded.
4. Poke a toothpick through each object to make a bead.
Characters and objects to make from Goodnight Moon:
telephone,
red balloon,
cow,
moon,
bears,
chairs,
kittens,
mittens,
toyhouse,
mouse,
comb,
brush,
bowl of mush,
old lady (rabbit)
light
clocks
socks
stars
5. Bake per package instructions and let cool.
6. Select the colored beads that match the story illustrations: orange, yellow, blue, green, red, white.
7. String the home-made character and object beads onto the elastic chord in the order in which they appear in the story. Place 2-3 pony beads between each home-made bead.
8. Tie when completed.
9. Retell the story using the beads.
Love this story? Explore these bedtime board books like Goodnight Moon.
Here are some other fun Margaret Wise Brown inspired ideas shared by our Virtual Book Club for Kids co-hosts!
The Important Book: Making An All About Me Book by Growing Book by Book
- Good Night Moon Sensory Bottle by The Pleasantest Thing
- Goodnight Moon I Spy Game by Inspiration Laboratories
- Goodnight Moon Book Words Printable Activity by Lalymom
- Goodnight Moon Gross Motor by 3 Dinosaurs
- Soothing Scented Goodnight Moon Inspired Sensory Play by Still Playing School
- Bunny Patterning Activity by Toddler Approved
You may also enjoy these bunny themed activities for kids…
Brilliant – was the polymer clay easy to work in. It's not something that I have used before
This is gorgeous – I love how i will support visual learning (and kinesteic if the kids help to make it)
This is a great way to connect to the story!