7 Tips for a Magical Story Time with Your Preschooler
Make story time magical for your 3, 4, or 5 year old! These 7 simple tips help foster a love of reading, build early literacy, and keep kids engaged. From silly voices to following their attention span, discover fun, easy ways to create special reading moments your child will cherish!
Reading with your preschooler is one of the best ways to foster a love of books, build early literacy skills, and create special memories. But if your child won’t sit still or gets easily distracted, don’t worry! Story time doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to be fun. Here are 7 simple tips to make reading together a joy for both of you.
1. Make It Part of Your Routine
Children thrive on routine, so set a regular time for reading—before bed, after breakfast, or during a quiet moment in the afternoon. A consistent routine helps your child look forward to story time.
2. Let Your Child Choose the Book
Kids are more engaged when they have a say in what you read. Give them a few options and let them pick—whether it’s the same book for the tenth time or something new! Book subscriptions like OK Ready can build excitement for storytime.
3. Use Fun Voices and Expressions
Bring the story to life with silly voices, dramatic pauses, and animated facial expressions. Your enthusiasm will keep your child captivated and eager for more.
4. Encourage Participation
Ask questions, have your child predict what happens next, or let them fill in words they know. Interactive reading helps develop comprehension skills and keeps kids engaged.
5. Follow Their Attention Span
If your child loses interest, don’t force it. Read for as long as they’re engaged, even if it’s just a few pages. It’s okay to come back to the story later.
6. Reread Favorite Books
Repetition is great for language development. If your child wants the same book again and again, go with it! They’re learning new words and gaining confidence each time.
7. Keep It Fun and Low-Pressure
The goal is to build a love of reading, not to force learning. If your child just wants to flip pages or talk about the pictures, that’s okay! Keep it relaxed and enjoyable.
Reading with your preschooler should be a time of joy and connection. By keeping it fun, interactive, and pressure-free, you’re setting the foundation for a lifelong love of books. Happy reading!
Thank you to OK Ready by Scholastic, affiliate link