Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Goldilocks Story Retell: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Goldilocks Story Retell is a free printable English worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children put the parts of a familiar story in order, then draw and tell. They also draw their favourite bear and the end of the story. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children put the parts of the Goldilocks story in order using the steps on the sheet. Then they retell the story aloud in their own words. There are lines for writing and boxes for drawing or notes. Children also draw their favourite bear and draw the end of the story. The sheet is made to be shared, so the grown up listens and talks about each part with the child.
- Goldilocks finds the bears' house.
- She tries the porridge.
- She falls asleep in a bed.
- The bears come home.
- Draw your favourite bear.
- Draw the end of the story.
Tips for retelling a story
Start with the beginning
Ask, "How does the story start?" Let your child say the first part before you move on. A clear start makes the rest easier to follow.
Find the middle
Look at the written steps on the sheet together. Ask what happens next, and what happens after that. Take the parts one at a time and let your child decide.
Use story words
Model words like first, then, next and in the end. Children pick these up by hearing them, then start to use them in their own retelling.
Draw, then tell
Use the drawing boxes to plan. Your child can sketch a quick idea, then use the drawing to help them say what happens in their own words.
Why retelling stories matters
Retelling a story means saying what happened in your own words. It sounds simple, but a child has to remember the events, put them in order and choose words to explain them. Traditional tales like Goldilocks are good for this because many children already know them, and they have a clear beginning, middle and end.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, talk is the base for reading and writing. A child who can tell a story aloud is building the habits they will later use to understand books and to write their own. Retelling also lets children share what they think about characters, which grows their confidence and vocabulary.
Skills and curriculum link
- Story order
- Retelling aloud
- Talking about characters
- Beginning, middle and end
- Listening and speaking
Ideas to help you help
- Read firstRead the story together before your child starts. Hearing it again fresh in their mind makes the ordering feel easier and more fun.
- Wait and listenGive your child time to think. Count slowly to ten in your head before you help. Many children need a pause to find the next part.
- Use story wordsSay first, then, next and in the end as you talk. Children copy the words they hear.
- Praise thinkingSay what you liked about how they worked it out. Praising effort and ideas matters more than getting everything right straight away.
Key words
- RetellTell a story again in your own words.
- BeginningThe first part of a story. It is where the story starts.
- MiddleThe part of a story between the start and the finish.
- EndThe last part of a story. It tells how things finish.
- CharacterA person or animal in a story.
- OrderThe way things go one after another.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the story together first. Talk about the characters as you go.
- Look at the steps on page 1. Let your child decide which part comes first, next and last.
- Ask your child to retell the story aloud, then draw their favourite bear and the end of the story.
- Check with the notes on page 2. Come back another day, because repeating a familiar story builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Act out each part with soft toys first. Use one toy as Goldilocks and others as the bears. Then look at the steps one at a time and ask, "What happens here?" Do a little at a time and stop when your child needs a break.
To stretch confident children
Ask what Goldilocks should have done instead. Then ask what she might say to the bears if she met them again. Your child can say the answers aloud, draw them or write a short sentence on the lines.
Make it a game
Use empty bowls, three chairs and three beds, or cushions, at home to act out the whole story. One person is Goldilocks and others are the bears. Swap roles and tell the story again each time. Use pretend food only.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child tells lots of details but the story jumps about.
Try thisHold up three fingers for beginning, middle and end. Ask your child to tell one part for each finger.
Watch forA child starts with the end of the story.
Try thisAsk, "What happened first?" Go back to the steps on the sheet and find the part that begins the story.
Watch forA child gets stuck trying to say it exactly as the book does.
Try thisExplain that retelling means their own words. Praise what they say, even if it is short or different from the book.
Talk about it
- Which part of the story is your favourite, and why?
- How do you think Goldilocks felt at the end?
- How do you think the bears felt when they came home?
- What would you have done if you found a house in the woods?
- Can you tell the story using the words first, then and next?
- What would you change about the story?
Take it off the page
Story puppets
Draw the characters on card or paper, cut them out with a grown up helping, and stick them on lolly sticks. Use them to tell the story to a friend or teddy.
Story walk
Take a walk and pick spots to be each part of the story. Stop at each one and say what happens there, in order.
Three of everything
Find three things of different sizes, such as spoons, books or socks. Put them in order from smallest to biggest and talk about which is the right size for you.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read the story first, listen to their retelling and ask gentle questions. Keep it relaxed. If they tire, stop and come back another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a table activity or a homework task. It links to Communication and Language and to Literacy comprehension. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair this sheet with a library book of the story, role play at home and everyday talk. It can be printed again for brothers and sisters, or used a few weeks later to see how retelling has grown.
Where this fits
Before this sheet, children enjoy listening to stories, join in with repeated phrases and talk about the pictures in books. They begin to name characters and say what they like.
After this sheet, children can retell other familiar stories, then start to make up their own. Later, they move from telling to writing, using simple sentences to record the parts of a story in order.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Goldilocks Story Retell for?
It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children may enjoy the acting out and drawing with a grown up, while older children may write more on the lines.
- What will children practise?
They practise putting a familiar story in order, retelling it aloud and talking about a favourite character. This links to Communication and Language and to Literacy comprehension in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- How do I use it?
Read the story together first. Then let your child order the parts and retell it in their own words. Do the first go together, then let them try more alone another day.
- What if it feels too hard?
Act out each part with soft toys first, then look at the steps one at a time. Keep it playful and stop when your child needs a break. Come back to it later.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or to practise retelling a few weeks later.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed abilities.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour to their drawings with pencils or crayons if they like.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.