ABSTRACT
Story is a vital tool for children, for it offers a place for them to explore and make sense of the various words, sights, sounds, tastes, smells and textures that bombard their senses each day. By taking on roles in fantasy children experience different situations and empathise with the perspective of others. Taking a small group of children to Forest Kindergarten and using it as our environment to study how literacy affects play has enabled us as adults to stand back, observe, record and support children's play when necessary. But most importantly it has given the children space, time and freedom to fully explore their interests without the bustle and noise of a classroom environment. The children's love of storytelling often surfaces throughout the day. Even whilst adventuring in Forest Kindergarten, one of the children might ask to tell us a story.
