Show and Tell is one of the most versatile activities in early childhood education. Done well, it builds public speaking confidence, expands vocabulary, strengthens listening skills, and creates a genuine sense of community in the classroom. This page covers practical tips for making it work well.

Structuring Your Show and Tell Sessions

Letter-based format is the most popular approach in preschool and kindergarten. Each week assigns a letter, and children bring one item starting with that letter. It reinforces phonics awareness naturally and gives parents a clear, simple brief.

Theme-based format works well for variety - favorite toy, something from nature, something that represents your family, something that makes you happy. Themes can connect to curriculum units and give children more creative latitude.

One child per day keeps sessions short and gives each child full attention. A five minute slot per child is usually plenty for preschool age.

Small group show and tell reduces anxiety for shy children. Instead of presenting to the whole class, they share with a group of four or five peers first. Many children who struggle in front of the whole class do beautifully in a small group.

Making It Work for Every Child

For shy or anxious children - let them bring a comfort item even if it does not match the letter. The goal is participation, not perfection. You can always work toward the letter requirement once they are comfortable presenting.

For children with language delays - visual supports help. A simple picture card prompt with the three questions - what is it, where did you get it, why do you like it - gives them something to hold onto during the presentation.

For children who want to talk forever - a gentle signal system works well. A small sand timer or a consistent hand signal lets them know it is time to wrap up without embarrassing them.

For families who struggle to participate - keep a classroom show and tell box stocked with a few items. That way no child is ever left out because they forgot or could not find something.

Questions That Spark Great Conversations

The best show and tell moments come from good follow-up questions. Try these:

  • What does it feel like?
  • Where does it live or come from?
  • What do you do with it?
  • Has it ever gone on an adventure with you?
  • What would you tell a friend who had never seen one before?
  • If it could talk, what do you think it would say?

Connecting Show and Tell to Learning Goals

Show and Tell naturally supports several early learning standards:

  • Oral language development - presenting, describing, and responding to questions
  • Phonological awareness - the letter format reinforces letter-sound connections
  • Social-emotional learning - turn-taking, active listening, and respecting others
  • Vocabulary expansion - new words emerge naturally when children describe unfamiliar objects

Keeping brief anecdotal notes on each child’s presentation over the year gives you a useful informal record of oral language development that complements formal assessments.

Find Ideas for Every Letter

If your students or their families need inspiration, the full letter-by-letter idea lists are here.
A B C D E F
G H I J K L
M N O P Q R
S T U V W X
Y Z