This question is often asked in Tykes One as our friends return to the classroom after getting ready for outdoor play. Not only does this activity facilitate a plain sailing transition in an often busy and high-energy time of day, but it has also proven to have many other benefits in our classroom.
We discovered a profound joy in our class when we read aloud to them. From the thrill of selecting a story, to the animated characters that come to life in their imaginations (such as The PJ Masks, Mortimer, and Brian the Smelly Bear), to the diverse worlds they explore, the children’s enthusiasm is palpable. It’s heartwarming to see them reenacting these characters in their playtime or even ‘reading’ these stories to each other.
Moreover, the stories we choose, with their relevant themes tailored to our children’s developmental stage, are not just for entertainment. They are powerful tools for imparting crucial life lessons and creatively offering fresh perspectives. Each character, with their unique lives, instills an appreciation for cultural diversity, varied lifestyles, and complex emotions in our children. Stories like The Good Egg teach empathy, Green Eggs and Ham encourage openness to new experiences, and Where the Wild Things Are delves into the concept of ‘home’ and unconditional love. These stories often spark questions and comments like ‘Why is he angry?’, ‘he should take a deep breath; I do lion breathing!’ and ‘That wasn’t very kind; sharing is caring.’ These are all signs that our children are relating these stories to their own experiences, developing empathy, and learning problem-solving skills.
While we incorporate audio stories during lunchtime— a request from the children that allows us to attend to other daily tasks— we make it a point to have dedicated storytime. Reading stories aloud to children offers more than audiobooks, fostering a unique bond between the educator and the child. This shared activity is a precious opportunity to build trust and well-being, something we all strive for while caring for our children.
Lastly, we hope that by providing exciting books and regular story time, we can kindle the love and wonder for the extraordinary world of reading. A precious attribute that we hope will last a lifetime.
“There are many ways to enlarge a child’s world. Love of books is the best of all”. -Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Written by Ms. Adele
