The Importance of Early Literacy: Making Story Time Meaningful
Aug 19, 2025 | aliciamarcano | Diggers Rest, Eucalyptus, Galada, General Information, Kirrip, Mill Park Heights, News, Orchard Road, The Heights
Reading with your child is about so much more than the words on the page – it’s a special time to connect, share, and build a love of books that can last a lifetime. In the early years, even the smallest habits can make a big difference in helping children develop the foundations of literacy. Here are some simple ways to turn story time into a powerful learning experience:
Show your child how to hold a book the right way up
The first thing you might do is show your child how to hold the book the right way up. It seems simple, but for little hands, this is an important lesson. By holding the book correctly, your child starts to understand that books have a purpose and a sequence, a gentle introduction to the structure of reading.
Let them practise turning one page at a time
Encourage your child to practise turning one page at a time. This small action builds fine motor skills, patience, and an understanding that stories move forward one page at a time, just like reading flows in a sequence.
Point out the front cover, back cover and spine of the book
Don’t forget to explore the book together. Books are full of exciting parts, not just the inside pages! Talking about the cover and spine introduces children to the physical features of books, sparking curiosity about how they are put together.
Talk about the author and illustrator and what they do
As you dive into the story, take a moment to talk about the people behind it. Children love knowing who created their favourite stories. Explaining that an author writes the words and an illustrator creates the pictures helps children connect with books in a deeper way and introduces them to the idea of storytelling as a form of art.
Read the title together and make predictions
Before reading, pause at the title. Point to each word as you read it aloud, and ask your child what they think the story might be about. Making predictions encourages imagination, critical thinking, the ability to make connections and the joy of discovering new ideas.
Show how we read from left to right
As you read, slide your finger gently under the words. This simple action teaches children about directionality – that we start from the left and move to the right – laying the groundwork for when they begin reading on their own.
These little habits might seem small, but together they create meaningful learning moments. By weaving them into your story time routine, you’re not just reading a book – you’re building the foundations for lifelong literacy and nurturing your child’s love of stories.
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