A beautiful quote of unknown origin, posted many places online, says, “Reading to children, even before they can understand words, teaches them to associate books with love and affection.” What better connection can there be?! At School Zone, we know that storybook activities are a cornerstone of preschool education. Storybooks open doors to imagination, language growth, and critical thinking. By diving into storybooks, children not only learn about the world but also develop essential language skills and a lifelong love for reading.
Our storybooks, for example, those from the Start to Read! series, are designed to ignite curiosity and a joyful learning environment.
Why storybook activities matter in preschool years
Storybook activities bring many benefits crucial for a child's development. And those benefits start in infancy. Reading to babies stimulates brain activity, builds neural connections, and models how language “works.”
The For Parents section of PBS Kids includes an article that details the extremely important ways that reading aloud benefits kids. For example, they report that “brain scans show that hearing stories strengthens the part of the brain associated with visual imagery, story comprehension, and word meaning.” However, the benefits go beyond processing words and pictures, to positively impacting kids’ “social, emotional, and character development.” Perhaps more surprising, PBS Kids says, “…reading to very young children is linked to decreased levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and attention difficulties.” It’s amazing that one activity, available for free, is so extremely powerful. In short, storybooks help:
- Language Development: Storybooks introduce new words and phrases, expanding vocabulary and expression.
- Comprehension Skills: Listening to stories teaches children to follow narratives and understand sequences.
- Imagination and Creativity: Storybooks encourage creative thinking and exploration of new ideas.
- Emotional Understanding: Encountering diverse characters helps children empathize and understand emotions.
Reading aloud to and with kids sets the stage for lifelong learning and development of many kinds.
Choosing the right books to start reading
Selecting the right storybooks is key to developing a love for reading in preschoolers. Consider these tips:
- Use age-appropriate books: Books for infants and toddlers include soft, washable cloth and vinyl books, board books, and finger puppet books. These books have multi-sensory appeal and are easy for littles to hold and manipulate,
- Match Interests: Choose books that align with your child's interests, like animals or fairy tales, to keep them engaged. “Interests” can also include relatable situations that kids will find engaging and relevant because they have seen or experienced them. For example, School Zone’s 3-level Start to Read! series has storybooks about getting a new baby brother, feeling left out by an older sister, wanting a pet, and getting a new bike, among many others.
- Simple Language: Opt for books with clear, simple language to aid vocabulary and comprehension. Books in the 3-level Start to Read! series use controlled vocabulary, simple sentence patterns, and usually rhyming words. Level 1 has beginning vocabulary, many basic sight words, and a short sentence or two on each page. Levels 2 and 3 increase the number of vocabulary words and complexity of sentences.
- Engaging Illustrations: Vibrant pictures capture attention and help follow the story. There are both picture books and illustrated books. Worldreader, in The Power of Picture Books: Benefits and Why They’re Important for Early Education explains the difference: “While a picture book uses illustrations as the main component of storytelling, an illustrated book uses visuals to support the words, which are the main way the story is being told.” In both cases, pictures add to the fun, and in illustrated books, they help kids decode words, understand story sequence, and make connections between words and ideas.
- Appropriate Length: Shorter stories are ideal for young attention spans. They help improve focus and retention and provide a sense of accomplishment. Different kids of the same age may be at very different levels in terms of attention and comprehension, so use their cues and let them go longer or shorter. School Zone’s Anywhere Teacher online learning program for ages 2-8 has dozens of storybooks, many of them from the Start to Read! series, which give kids the option of reading along to narration or reading on their own.
Nemours Children’s Health offers more detailed guidelines for How to Select Books for Different Ages, including infants, older infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
How storybook activities encourage growth
Storybooks play a vital role in developing thinking and social skills in preschoolers include:
- Cognitive Development: Storybooks enhance memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
- Social Skills: Stories with diverse characters foster empathy and perspective-taking.
- Emotional Growth: Stories help children understand and express their feelings.
Storybook activities support holistic development in a fun way.
Engaging ways to read aloud
Reading aloud can be fun for everyone. Here’s how to make it more engaging:
- Use Different Voices: Different voices bring characters to life and help distinguish them.
- Ask Questions: Pause to ask what might happen next to engage critical thinking.
- Encourage Participation: Invite children to repeat phrases or act out scenes.
- Use Props: Simple props can help visualize the story better.
- Make Connections: Relate stories to real-life experiences for better understanding.
Incorporating storybook activities into daily routines
Integrating storybook activities into daily life makes learning seamless and natural:
- Bedtime Stories: Include reading in bedtime routines to wind down and nurture a love for books.
- Mealtime Discussions: Talk about stories during meals to reinforce learning.
- Story Time Craft: Pair stories with crafts to reinforce main ideas creatively.
- Storybook Games: Use stories to teach skills like counting and sorting.
Explore the School Zone website for more resources that make reading—and learning—fun and effective.
Digital learning apps and interactive games
Incorporate technology to enhance storybook activities. Digital apps and games deliver stories and reading activities in a form that is fun and familiar to today’s kids. Make use of:
- Digital Storytelling/Interactive Storybooks: Apps offer stories with sounds and animations that capture kids’ attention.
- Educational Games: Digital games and activities like word searches, crossword puzzles, and “finish the story” support skills like vocabulary-building and storytelling.
- Anywhere Teacher: Our subscription offers a range of digital resources for ages 2-8, including dynamic storybooks and interactive learning activities.
- Parental Controls: Monitor progress and set limits for a safe and personalized learning environment.
Digital tools create a rich, contemporary learning experience that complements traditional storybooks.
Encouraging a lifelong love for reading
Instilling a love for reading early on has lasting benefits. Here are a few ways to nurture this interest:
- Establish a Routine: Dedicate time each day for reading to build anticipation.
- Be a Role Model: Show your child that you enjoy reading too.
- Visit Libraries and Bookstores: Regular visits expose children to a variety of books.
Encouraging a love for reading is a lifelong gift. Explore School Zone's products for tools that make it easy and fun.
