World Book Day - How to survive Storytime.

Storytelling is a skill I have always been proud to posses. When I recruited staff it was always something I looked for in a good Nursery Nurse. Being able to enter into the story, being confident enough to put on the odd voice or two is the difference between a wriggly uninterested monkey and an engrossed child absorbing learning like a sponge.

As parents we all have to carry out this task time and time again, so many times in fact it is sometimes enough to make you a little bit bonkers.

If you are rocking these skills already then I apologise for the basic tips but I know from experience some people struggle with it. So I thought I'd put on my professional hat and share some of my tips for getting the most out of your storytimes.

• Use the pictures to discuss different learning aspects, comment on facial expressions, colours and numbers of objects and point out the story unfolding in images.

'There is his tractor! Where is the Teddy? Can you make a sad face? Shall we count the trees?'

• Let your child turn pages and run your finger along under the words you read to display that they relate to the spoken word.
• Anticipate what happens next with your child before you turn the page.

 'Do you think he will find the Teddy before the party?'

• At the end of the story begin developing your childs recall ability with loaded questions or a monologue depending on their age.       

'Wasn't that funny Teddy was under the bed all the time? He won't lose him again will he, because that made him sad. What a good job they made it to the party on time to eat that scrummy cake.'

Develop that into questions as they get older:

'Where was Teddy? Did that make the little boy happy or sad? What did they eat at the party?'

And finally, if you end up faced with the age old problem of the most boring story in the world make up your own using the pictures. As they get older and know the stories you'll be sussed immediately so enjoy it while you can.

I have been known to read Paddington in 30 seconds flat....

There was Bear. He liked Jam. Oh look there is a sandwich. Aaah they are having a cuddle. The End.