Reading with a small group of children supports social interaction along with the development of literacy and language skills. Make the most of your story time with these simple tips.
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Reading with kids is one of the most fun and rewarding things we can do. We build connections, support early literacy, and learn stuff every day when we read together!
As children learn new sounds, new words, and their meanings, they are able to express themselves and communicate more effectively. They grow from the toddler stage – repeating rhymes and phrases – to the preschooler stage – asking questions and creating their own stories.
Story time at home or in the classroom is a beneficial way to support language development and instill a love of reading, while introducing your early learner to a wide variety of topics.
While it is always desirable to have books available for children to access individually, a scheduled story time with a small group of children adds value and enjoyment to your language activities.
Guide to preschool story time
Reading experiences with a group of children will vary depending on factors such as: number of participants; space or environment where the reading takes place; time allotted for the reading.
Number of participants
Your approach to story time may depend on the size of the group you will be facing.
Reading with a small group of children is a bit different than with a large group.
- Large group readings require large gestures or gross motor movements from the story teller to effectively tell the story. They can be supported with props and big voices that further illustrate the story. Readings may be done with or without images being shared, or images may be displayed on a screen or poster board. The reader may be standing or seated above the level of the group so everyone can see as well as hear.
- Small group settings offer a cozy environment that supports individual responses, and effectively highlights images in the book. Children who are easily distracted in large groups may benefit from readings with just a few children at a time.
Environment
If story time is in the same room as your other preschool activities, setting up a designated space will help focus students’ attention on the reading.
Children can be seated in a carpeted area, or on individual chairs, mats or cushions.
The reader may sit on a chair or a low stool, holding the book at a level where pictures are easily seen. Alternately, the book may be displayed on an easel.
Time frame
The length of time you allow for a reading will vary according to factors such as the age and attention span of children, the classroom or home schedule, and even the mood of the day.
Ten to fifteen minutes is a general guideline for reading and discussing a story.
Benefits of small group reading
1. Small group reading enhances the daily schedule.
Story time as a routine activity provides an anticipated, familiar event that channels the classroom energy into a more calming event.
Children and teachers gather together comfortably in a specific area with everyone’s attention focused on the one activity. It is generally understood that quiet voices are to be used unless a story requires more energetic reading.
2. Small group reading encourages group interaction.
Group reading requires listening – to the reader as well as to each other. With a small group, there is more opportunity for all students to engage individually within the given time frame.
There is also more opportunity for images to be shared and explored.
Demonstrate engagement with the story by pointing out specific colors or parts of images. Encourage participation by asking open ended questions, and predicting outcomes, to draw out responses and comments from the children.
“Did anyone ever build a snowman like that?“
“Why did the snowman melt?“
“Do you think they will build another snowman”?
3. Small group reading strengthens early developmental skills.
In small group environments. kids get to share experiences with others. This helps to strengthen their cognitive and language skills, as they learn to recognize and appreciate responses and opinions, both the same as, and different from, their own.
4. Story time is often effective for transitioning from one activity to another.
With attention focused, and children in one place, the teacher or parent is able to guide children into another play activity, or prepare for nap time or snack time.
Often a take-away game or other method is used as a countdown tool to allow children to move one at a time from the story circle to the next activity.
Tips for successful small group readings
These tips can help build awesome story times with your early readers!
- Minimize distractions such as toys or materials in the reading circle unless they are adding to the story (i.e. puppets or props). In some cases, a child may hold a fidget toy or even a favorite doll or stuffy to help them relax and focus during the reading.
- Choose books with large, colorful illustrations for preschoolers. Beginning chapter books may be suitable for kindergarten or early elementary.
- Point out the title, author, and illustrator before you begin reading the story.
- Bring the characters to life – or highlight the action or the mood of the story – using voice fluctuations, facial features and hand gestures. These extensions to the reading can add to the overall comprehension of a story.
- Make eye contact with the children, pausing often to allow them – and you! – to make comments or ask questions.
- Ask open-ended questions: I wonder how they felt about that? Where do you think they are hiding?
Reread books that are favorites to prompt engagement.
Other options for small group reading
1. Initiate a shared reading program.
One of the programs I initiated in my preschool was shared reading with a local elementary school. The event took place in the school library, where each of my preschoolers was matched with a reading buddy from a grade two classroom.
This program benefited early readers of all ages. As the older children read to the younger ones, I was pleased with the relative quiet that followed, with gentle murmurs heard throughout the room.
2. Experiment with alternative methods of telling stories.
Compliment small group story times with other methods of story telling. These extensions of traditional books can include puppet shows, charades, or other means of communicating a story.
These alternatives are beneficial for young children who often cannot be expected to sit for long periods, and to provide a variety of language and communication experiences.
Props can also be a distraction so these options will vary from one experience to another.
3. Retell stories based on the pictures.
Involve the students in making up their own story just by looking at the pictures in a book. It can be a new or familiar book, with everyone contributing something to the story.
Look for parts of a picture that are less prominent – a flower growing by a tree, a red ball in the yard – and include them in making the story go in a different direction from the original story.
4. Move story time outdoors.
Take story time outside to create a unique event for your preschoolers. Seated on park benches or on a blanket under a tree, kids can listen to sounds of nature as you read.
This fun twist on the traditional story time circle will illustrate that reading can be done anytime, anywhere!
How to have your best story times
Reading as a small group can be a special part of your day at home or in the classroom. It offers unique experiences for listening, interacting, commenting, and sharing.
Whatever the topic, the time frame, or the environment, reading together in a small group supports language development, childhood literacy, and a growing love of books and story telling.
Take advantage of every opportunity to share a story with your small group of early learners.
