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Storytelling for Kids and Children | Creative Childcare

Creative Childcare • September 10, 2018

Children love hearing stories, whether it’s about your day, a memory, or something off a book. Storytelling is a great way to spend time with your kid and it offers a lot of benefits for both you and your child.

Parents these days find it easier to put their children to bed after watching a favourite cartoon, than curling up in bed and reading out loud. What seems like a simple pleasure of childhood has many benefits attached to it, and it is important that you take out some time each night to read to your children.

Storytelling is as simple as reading a story from a book. If you don’t have that much time, you can always share a story from memory, talk about your own childhood, or even read out loud from your phone. There are innumerable advantages of storytelling for kids, especially for pre-schoolers, kindergarten and young children.

Storytelling with Children

Here are 10 benefits of storytelling with your children

1. Instils Virtues in Your Child:

Children all over the world love listening to stories. They want to know more about their favourite characters and often try to emulate them. By telling your child stories that come with a meaningful message, you can inculcate qualities like wisdom, courage, honesty, etc. from an early age into your little one.

2. Makes Them Aware of Their Own Culture and Roots:

Telling your children stories from your childhood and about various activities and celebrations from your past will make them more familiar about the different customs and traditions prevalent in your family. Sharing stories about various family members will help them learn about their lineage better.

3. Enhances Verbal Proficiency:

Reading out stories to your children helps in making them acquainted with the language as well as in learning new words and phrases. This is also a great way to teach your child new words and pronunciation on a regular basis.

4. Improves Listening Skills:

Most children usually have a lesser attention span and find it difficult to concentrate on something thing for long. Also, they end up talking more, rather than listening. Storytelling for kids ensures that they are not only more attentive but are also keen to listen and understand.

5. Encourages Creativity and Imagination Power:

Listening to a story helps a child imagine the characters, places, plot etc. instead of seeing it on a visual medium. This also enhances creativity, making them more imaginative and open to ideas and free thinking.

6. A Great Tool for Sharpening Memory:

By using certain smart ideas, you can use storytelling to help increase your child’s memory. Once you have read out the story, you can ask him to repeat the same after a few days. Alternatively, you can ask him to describe the story up till the present. This is a fun way to increase his memory and encourage concentration.

7. Broadens Horizon:

The Benefits of Storytelling for Kids

Young children may not always be exposed to the different cultures and countries of the world. Through the medium of storytelling, you can make him familiar about the various places and cultures across the world. Try and include stories from different countries and cultures to give your child a broader understanding of the world.

8. Makes Academic Learning Easier:

Storytelling for children is a stepping stone for academic learning. Many children have the habit of learning by rote, without understanding the subject. Storytelling, as a regular activity, can help children to enjoy and better understand what they are reading. This helps them in learning their subjects better. Sometimes, teaching school subjects as an interesting story (example, a boring history lesson can be turned into an interesting historical story) can help them understand better and fuel curiosity.

9. Better Communication:

Sometimes, children are hesitant to ask a question, even though their mind is filled with curiosity. Storytelling helps children in learning the art of asking the right question. It also tells them how to strike a perfect conversation and makes them more confident. Regular reading and listening can make them better orators too.

10. Helps to Face Difficult Situations with Ease:

Difficult situations can often end up leaving children feeling confused. Stories about various characters facing difficult situations can help them understand this concept better. Try and tell stories that teach children that pain and suffering are a part of life as much as happiness and fun times are. The right stories can help your child become well-equipped to face life and various situations.

Do you think that story telling is boring and just not fun? Well here is one of my favourite ways of telling stories to my son.

Storytelling with Our Family Photos:

Encouraging your child to tell stories is as simple as asking a natural storyteller to narrate a story. Read out the ways on how you can use family pictures to encourage storytelling.

Glance through some pictures along with your child and take turns narrating stories about what you find. For instance, it can be a picture of her birth or a picture that recounts a story about the night when there was a heavy snowfall.

You can even print some pictures of any fun occasion like a birthday celebration, family vacation or any holiday trip and ask your child to arrange the events in order.

Show a picture of any event and ask your little one to make a story using the clues.

Let your child pick 10 or fewer pictures and place them in chronological order to create a story. It is interesting to watch what pictures they pick to narrate a story.

The Importance of Storytelling with Children

Below are some great stories for children to read which will teach them about different morals.

The Tortoise and the Hare

Recounting the road race between a rabbit and a turtle, Aesop’s fable of the Tortoise and the teaches children to keep trying and not to brag.

The Tortoise and the Hare - Creative Childcare

The Boy who Cried Wolf

The boy who cried wolf is a story about a boy who falsely accuses a wolf of trying to get his sheep. When a wolf really does come, no one believes him, thus teaching children honesty.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf - Creative Childcare

The Wet Pants

Many children may be able to identify with The wet pants , a story about a boy who wet his pants and the girl who spilled water on him to save him from ridicule. The moral teaches children to help others.

The Lion and the Mouse

A perfect tale for little kids, The Lion and the Mouse tells the story of a lion with a thorn in his paw, which the mouse removes. The moral teaches children that no matter how small they are, they can still help others.

The Lion and the Mouse - Creative Childcare

Children in a childcare setting are involved in many different types of storytelling. These include, reading story books, felt boards, finger puppets and even the children having ‘News’ times.

Resources:

Childcare Encourages Curiosity and Creativity in Children

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Reconciliation Initiatives at Creative Childcare Hunter Street

January 14, 2025
Creative Childcare Hunter Street Reconciliation. At Creative Childcare Hunter Street, reconciliation is more than a process; it’s a meaningful journey that we embrace together. By fostering respectful relationships and celebrating diversity, we aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment for every child in our care. Here’s how our reconciliation initiatives are making a difference every day: Embracing Cultural Awareness Our journey begins with cultivating cultural awareness. Through storytelling, music, and art, we introduce children to diverse cultural heritages. These engaging sessions spark curiosity and encourage children to celebrate the richness of different traditions. By exploring these stories together, we nurture understanding and appreciation from an early age. Interactive Learning Experiences We believe hands-on experiences are key to understanding. Children at our centre participate in interactive activities, from traditional games and dances to creating art inspired by cultural motifs. These activities help children connect with cultural expressions in a meaningful way, fostering respect and joy in diversity. Building Relationships with Local Communities Strong connections with local communities are at the heart of our approach. We collaborate with community leaders, artists, and educators to enrich our programs. Guest speakers and community events provide opportunities for children to learn directly from cultural knowledge holders, fostering authentic relationships and shared experiences. Incorporating Diverse Perspectives Our curriculum is designed to reflect a variety of perspectives across all learning areas. By integrating cultural stories, traditions, and environmental knowledge into everyday activities, we help children develop a holistic understanding of the world. This approach creates a sense of belonging and deep respect for all cultures. Celebrating Cultural Days and Events Throughout the year, we honour significant cultural days and events. From themed weeks to community festivals, these celebrations immerse children in meaningful activities that highlight the importance of cultural milestones. Through discussions, creative projects, and participation in these events, children develop a deep appreciation for different heritages. Promoting Respectful Relationships Reconciliation is about building bridges of understanding. We create an environment where children learn to value diverse perspectives and practice empathy. Through role-playing, collaborative activities, and guided discussions, we teach the importance of kindness, understanding, and respect for all individuals. Encouraging Critical Thinking At our centre, we encourage children to think critically about cultural differences and historical contexts. Open discussions and age-appropriate activities invite them to ask questions and share their thoughts. This approach not only builds cognitive skills but also fosters compassion and empathy. Nurturing Environmental Awareness A connection to the environment is a vital part of cultural understanding. Through nature-based activities, gardening, and exploring local environments, children learn about sustainable practices and the importance of caring for the land. These activities instill respect for the planet and its cultural significance. Creating Safe Spaces for Sharing We understand the value of open dialogue. Our centre provides safe spaces where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. These conversations empower children to express themselves and learn from one another, fostering confidence and mutual respect. Continuous Reflection and Growth Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. At Creative Childcare, we regularly reflect on our practices, seek feedback from families and communities, and adapt our initiatives to remain impactful. This dedication ensures we continue to create an inclusive and respectful environment for everyone. If you'd like to learn more about Creative Childcares services you can contact us by calling 1300 002 929 , by email at contact@creativechildcare.com.au or by filling out our online form .

Childcare Nutrition: Smart Snacking & Healthy Bites for Growing Kids

December 10, 2024
Childcare Nutrition: Smart Snacking & Healthy Bites for Growing Kids At the heart of every child’s day is the nourishment they need to grow, learn, and thrive. At our three centres, we see nutrition as more than just food on a plate; it’s our way of inspiring healthy habits, delighting curious taste buds, and nurturing growing bodies and minds. Here’s how we incorporate smart snacking and wholesome nourishment into our daily care. Wholesome Snacking Habits Snack time is a chance to fuel children’s bodies with delicious and nutritious food choices. We offer a variety of fresh fruits, crunchy vegetables, and whole-grain delights to help children develop a taste for foods that support their growth and energy needs. These small but meaningful choices lay the foundation for a balanced and healthy diet. Nutrient-Rich Finger Foods Healthy eating at our centres is always fun and engaging! We provide nutrient-packed finger foods, like colourful veggie sticks, cheese cubes, and whole-grain crackers, which are perfect for little hands. These bites encourage independence while delivering the essential vitamins and minerals children need to thrive. Hydration for Happy Bodies Staying hydrated is just as important as eating well. That’s why water takes centre stage in our daily routine. We encourage children to prioritise this healthy habit by taking regular sips throughout the day, supporting their focus, energy, and overall well-being. Balanced Meal Time Adventures Mealtime is more than just a break—it can be a whole new adventure for children! We thoughtfully prepare meals with a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide the energy and nutrients children need to learn, play, and grow. Every bite is part of their journey toward a healthier future. Creative Presentation for Appetising Appeal Healthy foods are as exciting as they are nourishing at our centre. We create a rainbow of fruits, fun-shaped sandwiches, and vibrant veggie platters to make mealtime an engaging and joyful experience. When food looks as good as it tastes, little ones are eager to dig in and discover new flavours. Mindful Eating Practices We teach children to slow down and connect with their food. By encouraging them to savour each bite and listen to their hunger and fullness cues, we help them foster a positive relationship with food that can last a lifetime. Allergen Awareness Creating a safe and inclusive environment is a top priority for us. We are attentive to food allergies and dietary restrictions, ensuring every child feels included and cared for during meals. This commitment to safety helps all children enjoy their food with confidence and joy. Educating Young Palates Mealtime is also a moment of discovery at our centre. Through fun activities and simple lessons, we teach children about different food groups, the benefits of healthy eating, and how food fuels their amazing bodies. These early lessons empower them to make thoughtful choices as they grow. Snack-Time Variety We believe variety is essential for growing palates! By offering an array of flavors and textures, we expand children’s taste preferences and help them develop an appreciation for different foods. Snack time is an exciting adventure full of new discoveries. Collaboration with Families We know that a child’s nutrition journey is most successful when home and childcare work together. That’s why we maintain open communication with families to ensure consistency and understanding of dietary preferences or restrictions. This partnership creates a seamless and supportive approach to healthy eating. At Creative Childcare, nutrition is about more than feeding young bodies; it’s about sparking joy, building confidence, and creating a foundation for lifelong healthy habits. Through thoughtful choices, creative presentations, and a nurturing environment, we empower children to thrive—one bite at a time. If you'd like to learn more about Creative Childcares services you can contact us by calling 1300 002 929 , by email at contact@creativechildcare.com.au or by filling out our online form .
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