Talk With Tales for Children (TWiTCH)
About TWiTCH
The National Literacy Trust has a brand-new partnership with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver Talk With Tales for Children (TWiTCH) programme from September 2026.
The TWiTCH programme coaches early years practitioners in the use of dialogic reading strategies alongside the daily shared reading of traditional tales to support children aged 3 to 4 years old to develop language and early literacy skills.
What is the impact of TWiTCH?
TWiTCH seeks to reduce language inequalities, and support better outcomes for young children through building staff confidence and expertise in using dialogic techniques as part of shared reading experiences.
The EEF Pilot trial carried out by Sheffield Hallam University showed practitioners had improved questioning and discussion skills, made greater use of reasoning-focused questions and reflection time. Whilst children showed a stronger enjoyment and engagement in stories, greater confidence to speak, share opinions, and give reasons. Children were also found to have use of longer sentences and more expressive language which supported improved reasoning and narrative understanding.
What does the TWiTCH programme involve?
Using the traditional tales provided in the TWiTCH resource pack, practitioners will deliver a series of story cycles, each lasting three weeks, as part of regular story time. Daily activities take 10 to 15 minutes.
Week 1: Developing children’s understanding of the story and providing opportunities for discussion about characters and events.
Week 2: Deepening discussion through choice-based activities focused on the moral dilemmas within the stories.
Week 3: Supporting children to apply their story knowledge in play (e.g. through continuous provision), with additional support for children who need it.
The TWiTCH programme is full funded and all books and materials will be provided free of charge.
Expression of interest form
We are currently recruiting early years providers to take part in this a fully funded programme from September 2026 to July 27.
Places are limited so please sign up as soon as possible.
Sign up for one of our free information briefings to find out more:
- 7 July 2-3pm
- 14 July 7-8pm
- 8 Sept 2-3pm
- 10 Sept 7-8pm
