Long before people learned how to write, stories were shared by telling them out loud. Families passed stories from one generation to the next through conversation, memories, and imagination.
When children listen to stories being told, they begin to understand how stories work. They learn that stories have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. They hear new vocabulary, learn how events connect, and discover how language can describe experiences and emotions.
Oral storytelling is one of the simplest ways to strengthen early literacy skills. Children who hear and participate in storytelling often become stronger readers and writers later on because they develop a natural understanding of language and narrative.
In this activity, you will invite your child to listen to a personal story and then encourage them to tell one of their own.
📖 Literacy Activity: Tell Me a Story
Skills
• Listening and comprehension
• Language development
• Vocabulary growth
• Story structure (beginning, middle, end)
• Imagination and memory
Materials
No materials are required for this activity.
Optional:
• Family photos
• A favorite stuffed animal or puppet
• A quiet storytelling space
How to Set Up the Activity
1️⃣ Choose a simple story from your life.
It could be something meaningful or something playful, such as:
• what you did yesterday
• your child’s last birthday party
• a funny childhood memory
• the day your child was born
2️⃣ Sit with your child and tell the story out loud.
Use expressive language, gestures, and emotion to make the story engaging.
3️⃣ After telling the story, invite your child to tell one too.
You can ask simple prompts like:
• What happened when we went to the park?
• Can you tell me about your birthday?
• What do you remember from yesterday?
4️⃣ Listen patiently and encourage your child to share their version of the story.
Invitation to Play Tip
Young children may not tell a full story right away. They might share a few words, describe a moment, or jump between ideas.
That’s perfectly normal. The goal is simply to help them practice expressing ideas and building confidence in speaking.
You can support them by asking gentle questions or repeating what they say to help expand the story.
Why We Love This Activity
Oral storytelling strengthens language skills in a natural and meaningful way. It helps children understand how stories are organized while building confidence in communication.
Best of all, storytelling creates moments of connection between parent and child.
And those moments are often the beginning of a lifelong love for stories and books.