Storytelling has always been at the heart of language development. When children listen to stories, they don’t just pick up new words – they discover how language works, how to use it, and why it matters. Regular storytelling at home creates rich opportunities for children to expand their vocabulary, improve comprehension, and gain confidence in speaking and listening.
Why Storytelling Matters
Storytelling is more than reading aloud. It’s about painting a world with words and inviting children to join in. Listening, predicting, asking questions, and retelling stories all strengthen language skills in ways worksheets and word lists cannot.
Research by the National Literacy Trust shows that children who regularly share stories at home start school with larger vocabularies, stronger listening skills, and more enthusiasm for language learning.
Three key areas stand out:
- Vocabulary growth – hearing unfamiliar words in context makes them easier to remember and use.
- Comprehension – predicting and discussing stories deepens understanding of cause, effect, and emotions.
- Confidence – retelling stories gives children practice with grammar, sequencing, and expressive speech.
Starting with Simple Stories
Books with rhyme and repetition are ideal for young listeners. Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo introduces phrases like “A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood…” which children quickly learn to anticipate and repeat. The story also introduces rich descriptive words – prickles, tusks, terrible teeth – in a natural, memorable way.
Other stories such as Eric Carle’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? or Jill Murphy’s Peace at Last also give children the chance to join in and feel like confident storytellers from the start.
Building Comprehension
Understanding stories is just as important as learning the words. Asking children to predict what might happen, or explain why a character behaves in a certain way, helps them practise thinking about motives, sequence, and emotions.
Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a brilliant example. Its repeating pattern – “We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!” – makes sequencing and recall fun, while open-ended questions encourage deeper thinking.
Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea is another favourite. Children are captivated by the unexpected visitor and can explore ideas about kindness, surprise, and problem-solving. Asking how they would feel if the tiger came to their house helps them practise new vocabulary and express emotions.
Expanding Vocabulary
Stories introduce children to words beyond everyday conversation. Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox is packed with lively verbs and adjectives like cunning, greedy, and resourceful. Pausing briefly to discuss meanings helps children remember and reuse new words.
Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree also stretches vocabulary, inviting children to imagine fantastical settings such as The Land of Take-What-You-Want. Exposure to playful language encourages children to experiment with their own creative storytelling.
Encouraging Speaking and Listening
Retelling stories – with toys, puppets, or drawings – gives children practice in sequencing and expressive speech. David McKee’s Elmer is especially useful: the simple plot and colourful characters make it easy for children to act out the scenes while practising new words.
Creating original stories can be just as effective. Imagining what might happen if the Gruffalo met Elmer, or inventing new adventures for favourite characters, builds both vocabulary and confidence.
Developing a Love for Language
Stories that spark an emotional connection help children see language as something joyful rather than academic. A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh combines gentle humour with everyday conversation. Children often repeat lines like “Isn’t it funny how a bear likes honey?” in play, showing how story language becomes part of their daily speech.
When children delight in stories, they experiment more readily with words and expressions – the first step toward becoming confident communicators.
Practical Ways to Build Language Through Stories
- Pause to discuss new words – let children guess meanings before explaining.
- Ask “why” and “how” questions – encourage deeper thinking.
- Use props or drawings to retell stories.
- Invent new adventures for familiar characters.
- Add sound effects or actions to build expressive confidence.
Some parents and educators also use ‘story baskets’ (sometimes called ‘story sacks’ in the UK). These are simple collections of small props, toys, or everyday objects linked to a favourite book. For example, a toy mouse and twig for The Gruffalo, or a teapot and play food for The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
Props make storytelling more interactive and help children practise vocabulary and sequencing while they play. Puppets or simple picture cards can turn even reluctant speakers into eager storytellers.
And don’t forget that storytelling doesn’t always have to be live. Some parents record themselves reading favourite stories so their child can listen again and again – a wonderful comfort if you’re away for the evening or if your child is sick.
Audio books and recordings can give children extra exposure to stories. For example, my granddaughter adored Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven series and listened to the audio cassettes every night at bedtime. She knew them so well that many of the phrases came back to her later when she was writing her own stories at school.
Some children actually fall in love with audiobooks – you can read more about that here [link].”
Supporting Different Learners
Storytelling adapts easily to different needs.
- Visual learners benefit from pictures and props.
- Auditory learners enjoy rhyme and repetition.
- Kinesthetic learners thrive on physical actions and role play.
For children learning English as an additional language, repeated phrases and group participation make stories accessible and enjoyable.
A Lasting Gift
Sharing stories may look simple, but the language benefits are profound. From building vocabulary to nurturing empathy, storytelling lays the groundwork for confident communication. It also strengthens bonds between parent and child.
In the end, it isn’t just about the stories themselves – it’s about giving children the tools and the joy to use language well.
Some children fall in love with audiobooks too – I have written more about them here [link].