One of the most impactful ways to nurture your child’s love for learning is by reading with them. Storytime can be a calming activity before bedtime. But it’s also an opportunity to build literacy skills, spark imagination, and strengthen the bond between you and your preschooler. With a few intentional strategies, reading time can become one of the most enriching parts of your child’s day.
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According to Keri Campbell, Executive Director of Young Hearts Preschools [2], parents can make storytime even more engaging by following these simple practices:
Start with the Cover
Before you even open the book, show your child the cover. Ask them what they think the story might be about just from the illustration. This simple step encourages prediction, clear thinking, and creativity. These skills will serve them well in preschool and beyond.
Introduce the Book
Tell your preschooler the story’s title, the author who wrote it, and the illustrator who brought it to life through pictures. Taking time to highlight these details helps children understand that books are created works of art, with words and illustrations working together to tell a story.
Explore the Parts of a Book
Even at a young age, children can begin learning about the structure of a book. Show them the spine, front cover, back cover, and pages. This early familiarity encourages respect for books and gives them a sense of ownership when handling one.
Bring the Story to Life
As you read, use animated voices, sound effects, and facial expressions. Changing your tone for different characters or moments of excitement can captivate your child’s attention and make the story unforgettable.
Pause for Predictions
Before turning the page, ask your preschooler, “What do you think will happen next?” This encourages them to think ahead, use context clues from the illustrations, and exercise their imagination.
Reflect with Questions
When the story is finished, don’t close the book just yet. Ask open-ended questions like, “What part of the story did you like best?” or “Why do you think the character made that choice?” These questions help preschoolers deepen their comprehension and connect the story to their own experiences.
At Young Hearts Preschools [2], reading is the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Early exposure to books not only prepares children for academic success but also lays the groundwork for the day they’ll begin reading and discussing the classics and Great Books at a Great Hearts [3] academy.
Give your child the gift of a strong foundation in literacy and imagination by applying today at a Young Hearts Preschool [4], now with two locations in the Valley at Young Hearts Buckeye [5] and Young Hearts Scottsdale [6]. Families are invited to sign up for an in-person tour [7] to meet the dedicated team and learn about the preschool and Pre-K programs.
Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contactjmoore@greatheartsamerica.org [8].
Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/ [9].