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Building stories into bedtime, after meals or quiet moments during the day helps create consistency and positive associations with books.
The Importance of Storytelling & Reading Aloud
The preschool years are a time of rapid language growth, imagination and emotional development. During this stage, storytelling and reading aloud provide much more than entertainment. They help children develop communication skills, strengthen relationships and build the foundations for future learning. Whether through books, family stories or imaginative play, shared storytelling experiences support children to understand themselves and the world around them.
Reading aloud is not about teaching children to read earlier or pushing academic achievement. It is about creating positive experiences with language, conversation and connection. Children who regularly engage in storytelling and shared reading are exposed to new words, ideas and emotions while developing attention, memory and listening skills. Every child engages with stories differently. Some enjoy sitting quietly with books, while others prefer movement, repetition or creating their own stories through play.
Strategies families can use to support storytelling and reading aloud:
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Make reading part of everyday routines
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Make reading part of everyday routines
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2
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Read with expression and enthusiasm
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Read with expression and enthusiasm
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Changing your voice, using facial expressions and adding excitement helps maintain attention and makes stories more engaging.
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Choose books that match your child’s interests and stage
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Choose books that match your child’s interests and stage
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Books with repetition, rhyme, colourful pictures and familiar topics often help preschoolers stay engaged and enjoy story time.
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4
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Talk about the story together
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Talk about the story together
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Ask simple questions, discuss pictures and encourage predictions to build language and comprehension skills.
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5
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Connect stories to everyday life
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Connect stories to everyday life
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Link story themes to real experiences, relationships and daily routines to help children apply ideas beyond the page.
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Repeat favourite books often
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Repeat favourite books often
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Repetition supports vocabulary development, memory and confidence, even if adults become tired of hearing the same story repeatedly.
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7
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Tell stories beyond books
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Tell stories beyond books
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Family stories, made-up adventures and conversations about everyday experiences all help build language, identity and imagination.
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8
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Allow children to join in
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Allow children to join in
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Encourage children to finish sentences, repeat phrases or retell parts of the story in their own words.
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Keep books visible and accessible
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Keep books visible and accessible
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Having books within easy reach encourages children to explore stories independently throughout the day.
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10
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Use storytelling during play
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Use storytelling during play
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Puppets, dress-ups, toys and imaginative games create opportunities for children to build creativity and communication skills.
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11
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Create connection through reading
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Create connection through reading
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Reading together provides opportunities for closeness, comfort and one-on-one attention alongside learning.
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12
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Reduce distractions during story time
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Reduce distractions during story time
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Turning off screens and minimising background noise helps children focus and supports the connection that comes from sharing stories together.
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13
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Every child develops differently
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Every child develops differently
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Some children sit for long periods while others prefer shorter stories or more movement. Building positive experiences matters more than how long they stay engaged.
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