The Importance Of Story Time At Your Early Learning Centre And At Home
Presenting the right books and stories to young children can lead them on a lifelong journey of the love of reading. Let us look at why story time is so essential at early learning centres and at home.
And see some suggestions for the type of books you can select to read to your preschooler.
Why Story Time Is So Important
There are many reasons to include story time in every child's daily activities, both at their early learning centre and at home. Here are some of them:
Development of early literacy skills - reading stories helps children get to know sounds, words and language.
Brain development - listening to stories stimulates brain development and the child's imagination, emotions and relationships.
Develop social and communication skills and help the child to increase their ability to focus and concentrate.
Establishing boundaries between what is real and what is fantasy.
Provide the opportunity for learning about events that could be scary and the associated emotions while in a safe space.
Sharing knowledge about their environment, the world, their own culture and other cultures
Story Time Doesn't Have To Come From A Book
Storytelling is another excellent way to engage the minds of young children and spark their imagination. You can share age-appropriate stories from your own experiences or make up new stories. Culturally significant stories are also a great option.
Let them actively participate by pausing during your story and asking them to tell what they think will happen next. Or build a story around the room as each child adds the next part.
Early Learning Centre Tips For Choosing Age-Appropriate Books And Stories
You will soon discover that young children will have their favourite books and stories they will request over and over. And while this might seem tedious for you as the reader, it is beneficial for their learning. These books will have the following characteristics:
Books with songs, rhyme, rhythm and repetition
Books with lots of actions and pictures
Stories with relatable characters, ideas and ideals
Stories that present an opportunity to learn different values and morals
Books with good pictures, photographs and illustrations. Also, books with no words for the imaginative creation of a new story.
Books that become the favourite story that your child wants to hear over and over.
Contact Community KIDS today to enrol your child at our early learning centres. We cultivate an environment of learning and connections as we share stories with them every day so they learn about the values we all treasure.
