Here is a story that would go well with a Mother’s Day theme when we celebrate the power of mums! Mums are always ready for anything!
I like to use a big old-fashioned black handbag as a prop for this story – large enough for all the different props to fit inside. But if you can’t get hold of this kind of handbag you could use any kind of bag and just change the words accordingly (mum’s shopping bag, mum’s backpack etc.).
I use the following props:
- raincoats or rain ponchos (the kind that pack away into a pouch are quite intriguing for children)
- oranges (putting them in a net bag adds tactile interest)
- a small blanket
- a torch (a wind up one is especially fun)
- a hand warmer in a little drawstring bag (tie if shut) or a yellow silk scarf (for the sun)
- a little music box or tinkling bell or something similar (to represent ‘calm’)
But this story is very adaptable – you can make changes or additions to the contents of the handbag. Use props and objects that you have to hand and/or that suit your child or class.
Encourage everyone to join in with the repeated phrases (e.g. ‘hang on a minute’). You could also record these on to voice recorder switches.
If you think it will confuse the children to hear a story about ‘mum’ you could change the story to being about a character and set it in the past: ‘When Sally was little her mum had a handbag…’
[Prop directions are in square brackets]
Mum’s Handbag
Mum was getting ready to take the children on a nice day out.
‘Right’ she said, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
And she gave her handbag a little shoogle…and a shake… [Shake the handbag – put something inside that will make a bit of a rattle when you shake it]
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack raincoats in case it rains!’
So she fetched some raincoats and put them in the bag. [Let the children see and feel the raincoats.]
‘Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
And she gave the handbag a little shoogle…and a shake… [Shake the handbag]
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack a snack in case we get hungry!’
So she fetched a bag of oranges and put them in the bag. [Let the children see, feel and smell the oranges]
‘Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
And she gave her handbag a little shoogle…and a shake… [Shake the handbag]
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack a blanket in case we want to have a nap!’
And she fetched a blanket and put it in the bag. [Shake the blanket out and let the children feel it]
Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
And she gave her handbag a little shoogle…and a shake… [Shake the handbag]
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack a torch in case of emergencies!’
And she fetched a torch and put it in the bag. [Let the children see and feel the torch]
Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
And she gave her handbag a little shoogle…and a shake… [Shake the handbag]
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack a little bit of sunshine in case it gets cold!’
So she fetched a little bit of sunshine and put it in the bag. [Let the children feel the bag with the handwarmer inside, or drape the yellow cloth over them]
Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and ready to go.’
‘Hang on a minute’ she said, ‘I forgot to pack a wee piece of calm in case things get too busy!’
So she fetched a wee piece of calm and put it in the bag. [Ring the bells softly or play the music box]
Right’ said mum, ‘I’m all packed up and….OFF WE GO!’ [Say this with great emphasis]
And off set the children with the handbag and the raincoats, the bag of oranges, the blanket, the torch, a little bit of sunshine and a wee piece of calm.
And they all had a lovely day with their mum! [Swirl the bag around and then finish the story with the ‘calm’ bells or music box.]
Remember – not all of my props recommendations are toys! The props I suggest should not be used by children unsupervised.