As parents, you probably often hear information like "Reading aloud is important!" This time, we interviewed a former daycare teacher about reading aloud and storytelling, including their benefits, specific ways for parents and children to enjoy them together, and how to handle situations when you don't have enough time to read aloud.
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Skills Developed Through Reading Aloud and Storytelling
Typical skills fostered through reading aloud and storytelling include those essential for a child's development, such as vocabulary, reading comprehension, imagination, and concentration. Additionally, it can nurture life skills like sociality and empathy, and even strengthen the parent-child bond.
In short, it helps children learn words, develop visual and auditory skills, and build essential life skills and trust.
How to Enjoy Reading Aloud and Storytelling with Your Child
So, how can parents and children enjoy reading aloud and storytelling together? From here, we will introduce specific practical methods, focusing on "how to enjoy it."
1. Let your child choose the book.
First, let your child choose. Even just having your child pick the book they want to have read to them is enough for them to enjoy it, knowing "they'll read me my favorite book."
2. Choose books that adults can also enjoy.
It's also a good idea for adults to choose books that they find interesting. The person reading can also enjoy it. For example, even if the content is currently outside of your child's interests, it's common for them to become interested in it as they grow.
3. Occasionally choose books that are not appropriate for their developmental stage.
Books often indicate target ages and developmental stages, but it's okay to use them as a reference and not be too strict. For example, even if a book is for younger children than your own, they might be able to read it themselves once they learn to read, or discover new things. Conversely, even if a book seems a bit advanced for their current stage, if your child chooses it, it can lead to "interest."
4. Creating original stories
If you're good at creating stories or love to draw, why not try making original stories? I used to make original kamishibai (picture-card stories) on a sketchbook and use them for childcare and parenting. I distinctly remember how focused the preschoolers and my son were when listening to these "one-of-a-kind stories."
Even if you can't draw, you can create original stories using the "bare story" method I'll explain next. Or, having your child draw the pictures can also lead to interesting new developments.
5. Bare story (subanashi)
A bare story is a story told using only words and gestures, without picture books or kamishibai. There are various ways to do this, such as memorizing and retelling existing stories or creating original ones, as mentioned earlier.
Some nurseries even incorporate bare storytelling as a special storytelling session. It helps children concentrate without visual aids and fosters their imagination.
6. Story Catchball
"Story catchball" is what I call it, but the way it works is that adults and children take turns saying one phrase of a story, and together they create a complete story. You can tell an original story, or you can adapt an existing story. This also became very exciting at the nursery school, where the story would progress in unexpected directions.
Of course, it can be enjoyed by just parents and children. It also helps children develop their expressive language skills and imagination, and building a story together strengthens the parent-child bond.
How to cope when you don't have time or energy
I've explained the benefits and ways to enjoy reading aloud and storytelling so far. I hope you'll enjoy them with your children, but I understand there might be times when you're too tired or simply don't have the time. Let's explore how to handle those situations.
1. Make it a short bedtime routine.
While it's ideal to spend a lot of time reading aloud, it's also good to make it a short routine before bedtime. By deciding that "this time is for reading aloud," both adults and children can establish a routine, which lightens the burden a little.
2. Incorporate picture books with CDs.
Another way to ease the burden on parents is to incorporate picture books with CDs. Picture books with CDs have a special appeal that can also stimulate children. Also, you can adapt it, for example, by saying, "Today, let's read it without the CD" or "Let the child turn the pages." At the nursery school, we actually had children turn the pages and "read aloud" in their own way.
3. Occasionally use short books for young children
As I mentioned earlier, using books for young children is also a good idea. Not only do their often short contents reduce the burden, but they also offer the benefits for children that I mentioned earlier, so trying them out is one option.
4. Record your story catch-ball sessions
Story catch-ball is a one-time story that happens in the moment. Therefore, I also recommend recording your story catch-ball sessions. You can simply play the recordings back, or if you have time, you can even turn them into picture books or kamishibai (paper-play stories). Since it leaves a tangible record, it provides an opportunity to experience a sense of accomplishment in addition to fostering imagination and parent-child bonding.
5. Substitute with music, etc.
If there's a day you absolutely can't do anything, listening to music together is another option. Even if you can't read to your child, that alone can bring emotional stability, language comprehension, and parent-child bonding for them.
Summary
This time, I talked about reading aloud and stories. Reading aloud has various positive effects on a child's development, and there are many ways to enjoy it. There is no "one right way to do it." When you feel burdened, please try to be creative and incorporate it into your daily life.