Storytelling 1,2,3
- Read the story to your child. Spend some time talking about the front cover first.
- Read the story to your child again and this time talk about the pictures and ask questions about the characters and the story
- Ask your child to turn the pages and tell the story to you just using the pictures
Create a Reading Routine
Reading together at bedtime helps everyone slow down after a busy day. It creates a calm, cosy moment to relax and the rhythm and rhyme in many picture books make reading fun while also building early literacy skills that will support your child as they grow. Find a comfy, quiet place to read together.
Book Talk
Book talk is simply chatting with your child about the story you’re reading together. You can point to the pictures, ask what they think might happen next, or talk about the characters and how they might be feeling. These small conversations help to build your child’s language, imagination and their confidence.
Reading aloud
Reading aloud not only helps to develop your child’s listening skills but also helps them to hear new words, understand stories, and enjoy books before they can read themselves. It introduces them to new vocabulary and ideas. You can have fun using different voices to make the story more exciting and act out the different character parts with your child.
Choosing Books
When choosing books for young children, look for stories with clear pictures, simple language, and lots of repetition or rhyme. Pick books that match their interests, whether that’s animals, trucks, or fairy tales as this will keep them more excited about reading. It also helps to choose a mix of familiar books that they know well and new titles so they hear different words and ideas. Most importantly, choose books you enjoy reading too, because your enthusiasm makes story time even more fun.
Praise
Praise your child when they listen to or share a story. It helps to build their confidence and makes reading feel positive and fun. A simple “Well done for listening so carefully!” or “I loved how you told that part of the story!” lets them know you’re proud and encourages them to enjoy books even more.
Read, Read and Read again!
Reading the same story again and again with young children is very helpful for them. Hearing a story many times helps children feel confident because they start to remember what happens next. It also helps them learn to retell the story in their own words, which improves their speaking skills. Familiar stories make children feel safe and give them a chance to learn new words and ideas while enjoying the story.