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Transform your class into engaged readers in just six weeks - then keep it going!

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Transform your class into engaged readers in just six weeks – then keep it going!

Transform your classroom and inspire your pupils with the simple, powerful magic of reading aloud. Our research shows that making time for a daily story can accelerate reading progress, boost wellbeing, and create a lasting love for books in every child!

Your step-by-step guide

Your step-by-step guide to storytime success

Follow these simple steps to bring the benefits of daily storytime to your classroom.

1. Make it a daily ritual

• When: Set aside time for storytime every single day. Consistency is more important than duration!

• How long: Aim for about 20 minutes. If that feels too long, start shorter. The key is making it a daily habit that children can look forward to.

2. How to pick the perfect book

• Let them choose! Allowing children to vote and to select the book is a powerful way to build excitement and ownership.

• Provide variety. Offer a fantastic selection of new, high-quality books, including a mix of fiction and non-fiction, to appeal to all interests.

• Don’t forget non-fiction! Reading non-fiction aloud is a great way to introduce children to a wider range of genres and topics.

3. How to read it aloud

• Create total immersion. Try reading without interruption to let the children get completely lost in the story. They can laugh, gasp, and live the story as you read.

• Pause and reflect. Another great approach is to pause occasionally. Encourage children to predict what might happen next or reflect on the characters’ feelings. This is about engagement, not comprehension questions!

• Make sure you do not use it as a teaching opportunity! This is a special time to listen to a story just for fun and relaxation. When the pressure is off, children engage.

The incredible outcomes: why it works

Our research trial revealed amazing results. Daily storytime isn’t just fun – it’s a game-changer!

• Accelerated reading progress

The average gain in reading age was just under 12 months! 36% of children gained more than 13 months on their reading age.

• Boosted wellbeing

Storytime has a wonderful calming effect. 65% of boys and 76% of girls agreed that storytime made them feel calm. Teachers felt more relaxed, too!

• Increased engagement

After the trial, 77% of children wanted storytime to continue, and 44% said they were reading more on their own.

What teachers and pupils say

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what participants in the trial had to say!

Teacher quotes

Most of the class sat in rapt silence, completely absorbed, and enjoying the story... some children cannot help but laugh, gasp, and even act out what is happening.

It’s strengthened the bond with the children, so thank you. They felt very special having the reading experience every day. I got to know them better.

Children would cheer when it was storytime – and remind me if I had forgotten to put it on the timetable or if I had had to move it to a different time.

Student quotes

It has made me like books a lot more and I feel like if we don’t carry on then I will go back to hating reading. Also I feel like it has made a lot of people in my class like reading.

I can understand story’s [sic] more and if a teacher reads I can understand but not when I read.

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Transform your class into engaged readers in just six weeks - then keep it going! by Collins - Issuu