Characterizing Early Storytelling: An Examination on Individual Differences inNarrative Ability of Young Children

This study examined differences in storytelling abilities concerning the production of causal connections and goal structure in young children's narratives. Participants included 62 3- and 4-year old children from a private preschool. Storytelling was assessed at two time points using three different wordless picture books by Mercer Mayer. The resulting narratives were examined and coded for the use of three types of causal relationships; within-scene, between-scene, and anticipate causal connections. Clausal distance was developed to measure over how many clauses children made connections. The number of references to the overall goal, outcome, emotion, and character voice were also examined.