Importance of Storytelling
Understand other people
Develop a positive attitude towards books
Develop listening skills
Build correct concepts of objects and form new ideas
Increase their vocabulary and encourage verbal expression
Associate written and spoken words
Understand that printed words carry meanings
Develop an appreciation for printed words
Develop a desire to read
Learn that people read from left to right across the page
Storytelling helps young children:
Selecting Books for Children
Storytelling is an art that requires study and practice
The key to a good story is selection
Selecting Books for Children
** Keep the selection process in mind when creating your own children’s book
Selecting Books for Children
Fictional Content– Stories should reflect the children’s
developmental level, backgrounds, and experiences
– Familiar objects, people, and situations make stories more interesting
Selecting Books for Children
• Illustrations– Create interest and arouse children’s
imagination– Illustrations should be
• Large, colorful, and plentiful• Represent the written word• Reflect actions• Avoid unneeded detail• Be realistically and attractively colored
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/books/books_tues.shtml
Selecting Books for Children
Vocabulary– A good children’s book uses words that
can be understood by most children of a certain age
– Repetition of some words will increase children’s enjoyment
Selecting Books for Children
Durability– Children should be allowed to hold and
carry books as well as turn pages• Covers must be sturdy and made with strong,
washable material• Pages should be easy to handle
Selecting Books for Children
Length– Varies with children’s age– Interest is reflected in the number of pages in the
books– Infants and Toddlers:
» Interested for a few minutes=few pages– Two-year-olds:
» 5-8 minutes– Three-year-olds:
» 6-10 minutes– Four-year-olds:
» 8-12 minutes– Five-year-olds:
» 10-15 minutes
Reading Stories to Children
Preparing to Read– Read the story several times so you know
it well– Practice reading in front of a mirror– Record yourself reading
Reading Stories to Children
Introducing the Story:– Briefly set the mood
• Ask questions, make personal comments, or show the book cover to get children involved in the story
• Props
Reading Stories to Children
Reading the Story– Read stories with pleasure and feeling– Maintain eye contact with children– Read in normal speaking voice, you can
add interest my whispering, shouting when appropriate, mimicking sounds, and changing pitches