How to make a nativity story box.
I love story boxes and story sacks, they are great for helping children concentrate on and interact with the story. I also love the play opportunities playing with the prompts provides after reading the story. Making a Christmas story sack is a great way to engage your child with the nativity story.
In our nativity story box we had blue blanket (for the expectant mother), a green tea towel (compulsory head gear for Joseph)
Tinsel (or garland for those in the US) for an angel and a left over crown (from the Jubilee celebrations) - which seemed very fitting for a wise man. We also had and a shiny star to mark for the men to follow.
The presents from the wise men added a sensory element myrrh and frankincense were represented by spices (as they are smelly)- cinnamon sticks and ground spice. For gold we used chocolate (later replaced by some gold coins after we had eaten them).
A toy lamb represented a shepherd.
And most importantly baby Jesus was our doll wrapped in one of the Frog's old muslins. The Fairy decided the empty box made a perfect crib.
As I told the Christmas story I took the relevant prop out of the box and we took turns either wearing it or playing with it.
After the story was finished I removed the non safe elements and let the children play with the story. The Fairy retold the story whilst the Frog (who is currently very into hats) had great fun experimenting with which hat he liked best and finding the most tasty prop.
We played follow the star ( a version of hide and seek). The Fairy and I took turns to take the star and hold it some where in the room. The other person then found it.
The Fairy wanted to make sure we knew what was in the box so the next day we decorated a piece of card with star prints to use as the back ground for a label.
Language Links:
Vocabulary: Names (Jesus, Mary, Joseph, King , Angel etc), baby, star, sheep. lamb, shiny, smell, find
Other skills: concentration, re telling a story (narrative)
This week some other fab bloggers are getting together to share their nativity ideas. Why not check them out
or add your own ideas too our linky:
That's really lovely, I'd never have thought of doing that, but I'm sure you really made the Christmas story come alive with your story box. Great. Idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this - we have ended up with a bought Nativity advent calendar and you've inspired me to make a box to go with putting up the calendar and reading the nativity story on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad - how did it go? Did the kids enjoy it (I hope so) :-)
DeleteWhat a really sweet idea. I've never heard of a story box before - it's really good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteyou can get pre made one for lots of popular pre school stories, I love making my own up.
DeleteWhat a great way to 'live' the story of the Nativity. Thanks for linking up over at PreK+K Sharing.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Clement
What a lovely idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. x
ReplyDeleteI love this and know my daughter will too. Pinning it and featuring you on my Kid's Co-op post this week. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow that is lovely. What a great way to bring the nativity to life!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
This is beautiful! I love hands-on activities in general, and this is SO inviting! I featured your post and photo in my Montessori-Inspired Nativity Activities post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2012/12/07/montessori-inspired-nativity-activities-and-focus-on-the-nativity-blog-hop/
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Tuesday Tots! I am featuring your post this week on In Lieu of Preschool: http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/2012/12/15-christmas-sensory-activities-for-kids.html Please feel free to stop by and grab a featured button! Off to pin. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! Pinning it for next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I am going to find props and do just this! I always feel a little upset when my 3yo won't sit still or get interested in Bible stories, which is ridiculous I know, but I guess at that age they need to play, not sit!
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating isn't it when they wriggle but your right at that age its very typical development. Props can help to focus attention (but not always sometimes they can distract). Would love to hear how you get on. :-)
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