Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Kind Words Comic Strip: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Kind Words Comic Strip is a free printable English worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children draw a four panel story about Bear and Rabbit, add a speech bubble with kind words, then tell the story out loud in order. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and 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
The sheet tells a short story in four panels about Bear and Rabbit. Bear is sad. Rabbit sees Bear. Rabbit says something kind. Bear feels better. Children draw each panel, including a speech bubble for Rabbit's kind words. There are lines for writing and boxes for drawing or notes. Then children tell the story out loud, in order, using first, next, then and last.
- 1. Bear is sad. Draw Bear.
- 2. Rabbit sees Bear. Draw Rabbit.
- 3. Rabbit says something kind. Draw a speech bubble.
- 4. Bear feels better. Draw Bear now.
Why use a story about kind words?
Children in Reception are learning to name feelings and to notice how other people feel. A short story about two animals lets them think about feelings from a safe distance. Bear is sad, Rabbit notices, and Rabbit chooses what to say. Talking about this gives children kind phrases they can try out with friends and family.
A comic strip splits a story into panels, and each panel shows one moment. Children read them in order, so they begin to see a beginning, a middle and an end. Drawing first gives children a picture to talk from. Saying the story aloud comes before writing it down, which helps them build sentences with confidence.
Skills and curriculum link
- Story order
- Speaking in sentences
- Early writing
- Drawing and pencil control
- Talking about feelings
Ideas for talking about feelings and kind words
- Name the feelingUse simple feeling words such as sad, happy, worried and cross. Children need the words before they can talk about how a character feels.
- Look at facesFaces show feelings. Pull a sad face and a happy face together and talk about what changes, such as the eyes and the mouth.
- Say it aloud firstBefore your child writes, let them say their sentence out loud. A sentence that is spoken clearly is much easier to write.
- Praise the kindnessNotice the thinking behind a choice of words. Say things like, "That sounds friendly," so your child learns why kind words matter.
Key words
- PanelOne box in a comic strip. Each panel shows one part of the story.
- StoryA set of things that happen, told in order.
- CharacterA person or animal in a story. Bear and Rabbit are the characters here.
- Speech bubbleA shape that shows the words a character says.
- KindCaring about other people and wanting to help them feel good.
- SentenceA group of words that says one whole idea.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read each box aloud. Let your child look at the words and decide what to draw.
- Let your child draw each panel. Talk about what they are adding and why.
- Ask your child to retell the four panels in order, using the words first, next, then and last.
- Come back to the sheet another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw a downturned mouth for sad Bear together, so your child can see how a face shows a feeling. Offer two kind sentences and let your child choose one. Say the chosen sentence together before they draw or write it.
To stretch confident children
Write the kind words in the speech bubble using the sounds you know. Say each word slowly and listen for the sounds. Then add a title for the comic. Read your title aloud to a grown-up.
Make it a game
Act out the story with two soft toys. One child is Bear and one is Rabbit. Rabbit says something kind. Then swap roles and try different kind words each time. See how many ideas you can find.
Talk about it
- How do you think Bear feels at the start? How can you tell?
- What did Rabbit notice about Bear?
- What kind words could Rabbit say? Can you think of another way?
- How might Bear feel after hearing kind words?
- Has someone ever said something kind to you? How did it feel?
- What would you say to a friend who looked sad?
Take it off the page
Soft toy theatre
Sit two soft toys on a cushion stage. Let your child tell a story where one toy is sad and the other helps. Take turns being each toy.
Kind words jar
Draw or write kind words on small strips of paper and put them in a jar. Pull one out each day and say it to someone.
Feelings faces
Draw a happy face, a sad face and a cross face on paper plates. Hold one up and ask your child to say what might have happened.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read each box aloud, welcome all drawings, and ask your child to tell you about them. Keep it relaxed and stop when your child has had enough.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It fits circle time talk about feelings and friendship. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups, and it needs no preparation beyond printing.
Home educators
Pair the sheet with a favourite picture book about friendship and feelings. Let your child draw first, then tell the story aloud. Repeat it for brothers and sisters, or use it again later to see how their storytelling has grown.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children enjoy sharing picture books, joining in with rhymes and talking about pictures. They make marks, draw simple shapes and begin to say what their drawings show. These early steps give them ideas and words to use when they tell a story.
After this sheet, children can retell and make up longer stories with a beginning, a middle and an end. They can write simple captions and short sentences, using the sounds they know. Over time, drawing and talking leads into writing sentences with capital letters and full stops.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Kind Words Comic Strip for?
It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It also suits children who are a little younger or older and enjoy drawing and telling stories with a grown-up.
- What will children practise?
Children practise telling a simple story in order, saying a short sentence for a character and early writing. They also draw, talk about feelings and use the words first, next, then and last.
- How do I use it?
Read each box aloud and let your child draw. Then ask them to retell the four panels in order, using first, next, then and last. Check the notes on page 2 afterwards.
- What if it feels too hard?
Do the first panel together. Draw a downturned mouth for sad Bear, then offer two kind sentences and let your child choose one. Say the sentence together before drawing or writing it, and return to the sheet another day.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the library of free printables from Jaques of London.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Children talk, think and draw by hand without a screen.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or as part of a wider plan. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add their own colour with crayons or pencils if they would like to.
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.