Skill
Retells Stories
Child shows an understanding of narrative structure by retelling or acting out a story in sequence.
Ages 36–66 months
Why it matters
Stories have a shape — characters, a beginning, events that build, and an ending. When children retell a familiar tale or act it out in the right order, using words like first and then, they show they grasp how events connect and cause one another. This sense of narrative structure underpins later reading comprehension and their own storytelling.
Builds toward this milestone
- demonstrates an understanding of narrative structure through storytelling/re-telling. — Head Start ELOF
What mastery looks like
- Retells two or three key events from a well-known story, usually in the right order.
- Uses simple sequencing words such as first, then, and last while retelling.
- Identifies the main characters and a main event in a familiar book or story.
How to observe it
- When retelling, does the child keep events in a sensible temporal order?
- Can the child name who the story was about and what happened?
- Does the child act out or use props to show parts of the story?
Accessibility
- Offer story cards, felt pieces, or props so children can sequence events without relying only on speech.
- Accept retelling through gestures, signs, or a child's home language.
Activities
Evidence
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas