Sharing stories at home
National Read a Book Day is in September – use the day to encourage children and families to get involved, share a story and spend some quality time together. Sharing stories boosts vocabulary, social skills and communication and language skills. Here are some tips to help parents instil a love of books at home.
Top tips for sharing stories at home
- Share information about National Read a Book Day to get families motivated
- Host some story time sessions and invite parents to share these with their children. You can model what a fun story time session could look like – use props and character voices to bring the story to life
- Remind parents that they can read in any language – every language counts. Reading with their child in their strongest language supports language development, vocabulary extension, imagination, and a love of stories
- If the book is in English and it’s not the family’s home language, encourage them to talk about the pictures and characters – build their own story. Alternatively send picture books home for parents to share with their children in their home language
- Re-tell real-life family adventures – turn a visit to a park or a family wedding into a story, “Do you remember when ….?”
- Include ‘Recommended reads’ in newsletters to help parents choose suitable books
- Offer digital resources too, such as links to stories being read aloud
- Organise a local library visit and then encourage parents to visit with their children regularly
- Celebrate stories from all cultures and backgrounds. When children see characters who look like them, speak their language, or live in similar families, it helps them feel seen and proud of who they are. Every child deserves to find themselves in a story.
NDNA products to support you with this tip
Preschool Books – Author Camilla Reid
Creative Storytelling in the Early Years – Online Course
Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.
- MyNDNA
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