Pūrākau pānui pukapuka, tuhi, whakarongo, kōrero Books and Storytelling
Books & Storytelling | Pūrākau pānui pukapuka, tuhi, whakarongo, kōrero
Books and storytelling are key play methods that support the development of children’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. It helps children become confident readers and writers.
Learning and Development
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Books and storytelling help develop essential knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for understanding written, visual and oral language. They also foster thinking skills, including creativity and imagination.
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Children who enjoy books with others develop a positive attitude toward reading and expand their understanding of the world.
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Teachers combine language with relatable experiences, helping children develop a sense of belonging and confidence about who they are.
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Regular interaction with books teaches core skills like holding a book correctly, reading left to right and understanding story structure (beginning, middle and end).
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Storytelling and picture books expand vocabulary, enhancing both oral communication and reading skills.
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Books introduce different social situations and cultural identities, helping children build an interest in the diverse world around them.
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Listening to stories develops concentration, memory and comprehension. Teachers encourage curiosity and confidence by asking questions that prompt children to express their thoughts.
How books & storytelling relates to the primary school curriculum
Continuing Learning at Home
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Offer a range of picture books:
Include books with varying levels of detail – from simple words to more complex stories – as your child’s abilities grow. -
Explore fiction and non-fiction books:
A mix of books expands knowledge and nurtures imagination. -
Include books and songs in your native language(s):
Where possible, keep books and sing songs in your child’s native language(s) to support their cultural identity and language development. -
Encourage conversations:
Discuss the ideas in the books. Use gestures or words and ask questions about what they see. -
Bring stories to life:
Use puppets and props to make storytelling more engaging and inspire children to create their own stories. -
Practice everyday storytelling:
Simple conversations about their day or activities help children develop storytelling skills. -
Point out words and letters:
As you read together, point to words or letters that catch interest, demonstrating how reading works. -
Create your own book:
Turn an experience – like baking together, visiting the park or going on a trip – into a book. Take photos and help your child add words to the story. -
Practical reading and writing:
Involve your child in real-life tasks like writing name tags, making birthday cards or reading recipes. -
Encourage visual storytelling:
Let children express their thoughts and ideas through drawing and painting, or other creative mediums.
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