We're delighted to share with you our latest blog in our series, Library Lifeline blog series, written in partnership with the School Library Association. This series is designed to support anyone working in a school library by answering their questions.
If you have a question that you’d like to ask our ‘agony aunt’ – the SLA’s Member Development Librarian, Dawn Woods – then please email us at worldofstories@literacytrust.org.uk and your question may be the focus of a future blog!
I frequently read books aloud to my younger pupils, but I’m not sure if they’re absorbing the information. I’m wondering how important it is for younger children’s development to share stories both at school and at home?
Early Years teacher
Research around reading to children
Sharing stories and books is an essential part of a child’s healthy and successful development, and the best thing is that it’s never too early to start sharing books.
Even babies in the womb recognise their mothers’ voices and although newborns will not understand what is being said, they are hearing talk and listening to the sounds in the words that are used. It is also a chance for babies and young children to build relationships with parents which is as important as the words.
Key research findings found that in 2024, fewer parents reported engaging daily in all home learning activities compared with 2019.
As children grow, the opportunity to share stories naturally extends into the classroom and school library space.
Staff are in a unique position to share books with younger children and encourage their parents to do the same. There are key ways you can do this.
Key ways to engage children when sharing stories
- Encourage children to help choose the books you read so that they have a sense of ownership in the reading process
- Select high quality picture books that capture children's interests and take time to talk about the pictures and the story they might be telling
- Make sure you are familiar with the story before you read it with children, so you can read it in an engaging way, using intonation and expression
- Make the story an immersive experience by involving children in the story. For example, select books with repeated refrains that children can join in with, or rhyming words that support memory
- Peer influence is a powerful factor when motivating children to enjoy shared stories, and older pupil librarians can be an invaluable asset in reading to younger KS1 children and facilitating bookchat.
Why is sharing stories with children so important?
- It’s a time for children to spend quality time and bond with their loved one
- Reading and sharing stories is also a powerful way to develop empathy – a learned skill encouraging children to consider other viewpoints and transfer that learning to handling their own feelings
- It helps to develop children’s communication and language, builds their listening and attention skills and boosts their cognitive abilities, preparing them for learning in KS2 and beyond
- It develops vocabulary for everyday use and for things they won’t otherwise encounter
- In the Early Years, reading is also a great way to develop physical skills: Handling books, including turning pages gives babies and young children the chance to develop gross motor movements
- Ripped pages may happen but are certainly a small sacrifice on the way to helping toddlers learn to take care of books
Supporting families in your setting to read together
Parents don’t have to be proficient readers to enjoy sharing stories with their child – and this should be stressed to them. Adults don’t need to read all the words in a book, they can talk about the pictures, the characters, why events are happening or about to happen etc. Pointing to the things that you are talking about helps children to understand that words have meaning and helps develop their vocabulary.
Many toddlers have a favourite book and they want that read to them time and again, and this is good. Repetition strengthens connections in children’s brains and cements learning.
The newest Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, is championing the life-changing benefits of children’s reading within his platform of the Laureateship. He has ‘pledged to amplify the national conversation about the role books and reading for pleasure play in transforming children’s lives.’
Teachers can encourage parents to find a regular slot in their daily routine to read with their children. Find tips and videos suitable for parents on our Words for Life website.
Classic books that are great ways to encourage young children to join in
- We’re going on a bear hunt, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
- The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle
- We're Going to Find the Monster, Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola
- Shark in the Park, Nick Sharratt
- Dear Zoo, Rob Campbell
- Ten in the Bed, Penny Dale
- Baby Goes to Market, Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
- Oi Frog, Kes Gray and Jim Field
Further reading, research and resources
- The School Library Association’s guide, available to everyone from here, can be emailed to parents as a pdf and details the benefits of reading with your children
- Parents' Support For Early Years Literacy At Home 2024 | National Literacy Trust
- Reading For Pleasure | National Literacy Trust
- Booktrust.org.uk: How books can help with children's development in the early years
- Scottishbooktrust.com: Why read to babies and young children?
- Booksfortopics.com: Primary school book gift guide
- Fun books to share | BookTrust
- https://literacytrust.org.uk/resources/nursery-rhymes-in-the-early-years/