[Kira]

While doing story time with the kids in my care, I like to engage throughout the entire story. I like being able to connect my kids with the story, like if there’s a cat in the story ask who has a cat, or if the girl in the story is wearing pink shoes ask who else is wearing pink shoes. It gives them that connection to the story that makes them feel seen and be able to open their imaginations as if they’re the child in the story.

[Pratibha Nath]

I ask questions while I read to children. That not only help children to think and come up with an answer but also give you idea what they are thinking about.

[Samia Eltahir]

I encourage children to have a talk and discussion about the story asking each one to represent characters of the story by using their own words.

[Trainer]

Great idea, Samia! Character representation fosters creativity and deepens understanding—such a fun way to engage young learners!

[Ash]

As I’m reading, I like to point out vocabulary words or words they may not have seen before and ask them to raise their hands and share with me what they think the word means. Often times they have good ideas and can get close to the meaning. Sometimes after reading a book, especially a book with repetition in it, I will hear children repeating those parts or sounds from the book. They like pointing out words that rhyme.

[Tahlia Phillippe]

One of our games is word bingo we will work on some works for the week and try to make them into a bingo game the kids seem to really enjoy it.

[Nikki]

Everyday at 9:00 I do a Bible story with my class we read it, watch it, and talk about it. And help them learn the story from all perspectives and I give them stars on their star chart for being able to answer questions and engaging so that makes them want to interact and retain the story so that they can answer the questions.

[Matthew Chambers]

a fun way my coworker boost the kids vocab after the story is we play a game called word detective. we give them a list of clues like definitions or synonyms and they have to find the words throughout the book.

[Trainer]

Great idea, Matthew! “Word Detective” sounds like an engaging way to reinforce vocabulary while keeping the kids actively involved!

[Luisa Twohy]

Using puppets as the same character from the book that we just read, and asked them how they would make the ending different.

[Trainer]

Great idea, Luisa! Puppets encourage creativity and dialogue, making story discussions lively and memorable for kids!

[Mami]

Here is something I often do in my classroom. I always choose a main story for story time that connects directly to the activity that follows. Recently, we read the book “The Mitten”, and the children expanded their imagination about mittens. After reading, we looked at real mittens together, talked about their shapes and textures, and then the children created their own mittens during our art activity.Another thing I notice is that when a story includes something the children already know, they immediately start singing related songs. It becomes a wonderful way to build vocabulary and keep them engaged in the story.

[Trainer]

Great strategies, Mami! Connecting stories to hands-on activities and familiar songs truly enhances vocabulary and engagement. Keep it up!

[suparat sankham]

One creative way I get children talking after Storytime is by asking open-ended, playful questions like, “What would you do if you were the character?” or “What do you think happens next?” Sometimes we act out parts of the story or use puppets, which helps quieter children join the conversation. I’ve also had success letting children draw their favorite part of the book and then explain their picture to the group. These activities make vocabulary-building fun, meaningful, and connected to the children’s own ideas and experiences.

[Trainer]

Great strategies, Suparat! Using open-ended questions and creative activities like drawing fosters engagement and enhances vocabulary in a playful way.

[Lily]

I like to ask questions as we read books. Engaging with them in a way that allows them to shout out what they notice. “How do you think this character feels?” “Do you see this face? What kind of face is that?” “Can you make that face?”. It works well to get them engaged and invested in the story, while encouraging vocabulary development in a non intimidating or isolating way.

[Hortencia Garcia]

I lead for young Toddlers, and their focus span is limited, so I pick less wordy books with lots of pictures, and most of the time I make up the words and make it more fun. After the story time, I just ask them to imitate a noise if the book was about animals or make shapes with their hands, etc.

[Maria barajas]

During story time, we usually stop to look at the picture after I read and let the children tell me what they see, what they heard, and give them a second to review what they just learned before we move on to the next page.

[caitlyn]

during storytimes I like the point out different things a character may be doing. example: “Friends what is the mouse doing?” “eating!” “thats good! but what is he eating?” “cookie!” then i ask ” do you guys like cookies?” etc to help them be able to tell me the action and specifics and learning new words.

[Deandra Aviles]

After reading a story to the children I like to have them pick a buddy and to take turns talking about the story to each other. Have the children ask questions such as “What would you do if you were the character?” and “What was your favorite part of the story and why?”. Another creative way for this is having the children act out the story that they just read.