Blanket Story, Marie Watt, 2013, blankets and tags

Our Objects, Our Stories

Blanket Story, Marie Watt, 2013, blankets and tags

Blanket Story: Confluence, Heirloom, and Tenth Mountain Division
Marie Watt, United States2013
2013.75

Objects, like blankets, are important in telling the stories of our lives.

The blankets in this piece were given with the heirloom-like intent of passing on stories, remembrances, and teachings

— Marie Watt

How can you encourage young children to share their stories related to an object or idea?

  • Have children choose a special object from home or at school based on a theme like family, celebration or community. Give them time to share a story about the object.
  • Have children choose a special object from home or at school, describe the object using color, texture, size, etc., and then share its story.

How can their stories about objects be recorded for the intent of passing them on?

  • Children can record their own thoughts and stories about their objects by drawing a picture or sharing it with a small group.
  • Adults can document children’s stories by writing on a tag to attach to the object or by using audio/visual equipment.

TIP: For further inspiration, check out A History of the World in 100 Objects, a radio series and book from the British Museum.

Give children time to share their stories about a special object.
Let children record their own stories about their objects through drawing, writing, or speaking.
Use a theme to guide children's object choice- focus on clothing, home, family or celebration.
Child sharing information about her doll in front of a class
Child colors in a shirt cut from paper
Shirt shape cut from paper and colored in with markers
Rococo Armchair Legs

Rococo Armchair Legs

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