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If you've ever listened to a child recount a film or book in real time—every subplot, every character's outfit, every funny moment—you'll know that 'getting to the point' is a skill that needs practice. Teaching kids to summarise before they share is a brilliantly simple way to turn everyday moments into thinking practice. It helps them organise their thoughts, focus on what matters most, and communicate with clarity and confidence.
This isn't about adding more homework. It's about weaving a quick, practical habit into daily life—one that pays off in reading, writing, and every conversation your child has.
Finish Your Activity
The first step is simply to complete the activity—whether that's watching a film, finishing a chapter, or coming home from an outing. Before your child rushes to text a friend or start a phone call, pause for a moment. This brief gap between 'doing' and 'sharing' is where the magic happens. It gives their brain a chance to process what they've just experienced and identify the main takeaway.
You might say: 'Before you message your friend, let's think about what you'd tell them.' This sets the expectation that sharing isn't just about excitement—it's about communicating clearly.
Note the Key Parts
Next, guide your child to think about the structure of what they've just enjoyed. Explain that every good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end—and a summary captures all three without spoiling every detail. Think of it like a film trailer: it gives you the main idea and the most important moments, but it doesn't give away the entire plot.
For younger children, you can make this visual. Ask them to think of three simple parts:
- What happened first?
- What happened next?
- How did it end?
Older children can aim to identify the main events in each section. The goal isn't perfection—it's practice. Even a rough outline helps them see the 'shape' of the story.
Write a Short Recap
Now comes the writing part—but keep it short and stress-free. Ask your child to jot down their summary in just a few sentences. For younger kids, three sentences work well (one for beginning, middle, and end). Older children can aim for three to five sentences that capture the main events without overloading the detail.
You might even let younger children draw three small pictures instead of writing sentences—whatever makes it easier for them to express the sequence. The key is to focus on the main idea, not every subplot or favourite moment. This is where kids start to learn the difference between a summary and a play-by-play account.
Here's a fun realisation many kids have: 'It was awesome!' is not a summary—it's an opinion. It's lovely to hear, but it doesn't tell your friend what actually happened!
Share with Confidence
Once the summary is written, your child is ready to share. Whether they're texting, calling, or chatting in person, they'll now have a clear, organised way to communicate what they've experienced. This makes conversations so much more engaging—for both the speaker and the listener.
The beauty of this habit is that it's consistent and repeatable. Every time your child does it, they're strengthening their ability to identify main ideas, sequence events, and express themselves clearly. Over time, this skill transfers to schoolwork, reading comprehension, and even problem-solving. It's a small routine with a big impact.
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