Children are natural storytellers. When they set up races with their toy cars or make beds for their teddies, they are using their imagination to tell a story. This imaginative play is a great building block to help children develop their vocabulary, which will support them as they learn to read and write.
Watch Frances Stickley’s story, What will I be?
Watch Frances Stickley’s story, What will I be? together, and chat about the story. It might inspire your child to think about what they’d like to be...
Find some props around your home together, just like the storytellers in the video, and get playing.
Here are some more storytelling activity ideas to help you support their play:
Re-tell a favourite story together: Children love to read the same books again and again. Encourage them to tell you the story, instead of you reading it to them. You can do this snuggled up with the book, on a journey, or you could even try acting out the story in the park. Repeat back some of what they say, to show them you are listening.
Bring their drawings to life: Talk to your child about what they're drawing and encourage them to think a little more about what might be happening in their picture. Help them create a story about the character, object or place they are drawing. As your child talks, try to repeat back what they say, and add a word or two. This will help introduce them to new words.
Make up a story anywhere: When you're out and about use things around you for inspiration. Offering prompts or asking questions will help your child to get started. For example, you could say: “I wonder what would happen if the bus could fly…” or “Could that banging sound be a dinosaur stomping?” Then try to let your child take the lead and continue the conversation. It’s okay if their ideas are a little silly, just have fun!
Babies and toddlers will love to hear you tell a story about them: The sound of your voice will be soothing and keep them distracted while you’re out and about, or completing jobs at home. Even if they don’t understand all of what you’re saying, hearing familiar names, or sounds they like, such as animal or vehicle noises, will keep them listening.
Top tip!
Stories can be about anything. They can be short, and about something that really happened, or they can be never-ending nonsense! Just have fun together!
