There’s something very special about sharing a story with a child. Whether it’s a much-loved book they know almost word for word, a colourful picture book filled with things to spot, or an exciting new story they’ve never heard before, reading together can play an important part in a child’s early development.
With National Read a Book Day on 6 September and International Literacy Day on 8 September, September is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our little bookworms and the wonderful world of stories.
At Wellies Day Nursery, books and stories are an important part of nursery life. Reading together isn't simply an enjoyable activity – it can help children develop their vocabulary, communication, imagination, concentration and confidence from an early age.
The benefits of reading to children
You don't need to wait until your child is learning to read themselves to introduce them to books. Babies, toddlers and preschool children can all benefit from being read to regularly.
Listening to stories introduces children to new words, sounds and sentence structures that they might not hear during everyday conversations. Over time, this helps to build their vocabulary and understanding of language.
Even very young children can get involved. Pointing at pictures, turning pages, making animal noises and finishing familiar sentences are all part of the experience.
And don't worry if your little one wants the same story every single night! Repetition can be incredibly valuable. Hearing familiar words and phrases again and again helps children remember them, understand what they mean and eventually begin to use them themselves.
Stories get little imaginations working
Where else can you meet a Gruffalo, travel to the moon, go on a bear hunt and discover a tiger having tea – all without leaving the room?
Stories introduce children to people, places and situations beyond their everyday experiences.
As they listen, children begin creating pictures in their minds and wondering what might happen next. This helps to develop imagination, creativity and curiosity – skills that can then flow naturally into their play.
You might read a story about pirates in the morning and discover your living room has become a pirate ship by the afternoon!
Building communication skills
Reading together is also a great opportunity to get children talking.
Rather than simply reading from beginning to end, try stopping occasionally and asking questions such as:
"What can you see in this picture?"
"How do you think they are feeling?"
"What do you think is going to happen next?"
There aren't necessarily right or wrong answers. It's about encouraging children to express their thoughts, describe what they can see and join in with the story.
At Wellies, sharing stories together gives our children plenty of opportunities to listen, talk, ask questions and communicate with both adults and their friends.
Helping children learn to concentrate
Sitting and listening to a story also helps children gradually develop their attention and concentration.
For a toddler, that might initially mean looking at a book together for just a few minutes – and that's absolutely fine.
As children grow and become more familiar with stories, they may begin listening for longer, remembering characters and events, and following more complicated storylines.
These early experiences can help build some of the skills children will eventually use when they move on to school.
Books can help children understand their world
Stories can be particularly helpful when children encounter new experiences or big emotions.
Starting nursery, welcoming a new baby, visiting the dentist, making friends, feeling angry or being scared of the dark can all feel very big when you're little.
Finding a character experiencing something similar can help children understand and talk about their own feelings.
Books can also introduce children to different families, cultures, traditions, abilities, places and ways of life, helping them discover more about the wonderfully varied world around them.
How we encourage a love of books at Wellies
At Wellies, we want books to feel exciting, enjoyable and accessible.
Storytime provides an opportunity to come together, slow things down and enjoy a story as a group, but books can also become part of children's wider play and learning.
A story might inspire artwork, imaginative play, conversations, songs or an activity that allows children to explore the subject further.
Most importantly, we want children to associate books with fun, discovery and spending time together.
7 easy ways to encourage reading at home
You don't need hours of spare time or shelves filled with hundreds of books to encourage a love of reading.
Here are a few simple ideas to try:
Make reading part of your routine
A bedtime story is an obvious choice, but you could also read after breakfast, before nursery or during a quiet afternoon.
Let your child choose
Even if it's the same book for the tenth time this week! Allowing children to choose helps them feel involved.
Talk about the pictures
You don't always have to read every word. Look at the illustrations and ask your child what they can see.
Make it fun
Use silly voices, make sound effects and encourage your child to join in with repeated phrases.
Ask questions
"What happens next?" or "Where's the dog?" can turn reading into a conversation.
Visit your local library
Libraries are a brilliant way to discover new books without continually buying them. Let your child explore and choose something that catches their eye.
Let children see you reading
Children learn by watching the adults around them. Seeing you enjoying a book, magazine or newspaper helps show them that reading is part of everyday life.
You can never be too young for a story
Reading with babies and toddlers isn't about teaching them to read as quickly as possible. It's about creating positive experiences with books, words and stories.
Those few minutes spent snuggled together with a favourite book can support language and communication, encourage imagination and curiosity, and help create a love of stories that can last for years.
So, to celebrate National Read a Book Day and International Literacy Day this September, why not let your little one choose the story tonight?
Even if you already know every single word by heart!
Looking for a nursery where learning, exploring and having fun go hand in hand?
At Wellies Day Nursery, we create plenty of opportunities for our little ones to discover, play, communicate and develop – including sharing lots of wonderful stories along the way.
Get in touch with the Wellies team to find out more about the nursery and current availability.
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