Albert Einstein’s says “If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories. If you want them to be brilliant, tell them more stories.”
Listening, imagining and learning together outdoors
Building bonds through books
Early moments of connection through books
Storytime adventures in our little wooden caravan
Friedrich Froebel recognised storytelling and play as essential to early learning. Through stories, children explore emotions, use their environment symbolically and develop early literacy skills. Adults carefully observe and support children’s interests, helping stories grow from their own experiences and ideas.
Why Storytelling Matters
Storytelling has been part of human life for thousands of years and remains a powerful way for children to learn, connect and make sense of the world. At the EYEC, storytelling supports language development, imagination, emotional understanding and a lifelong love of books.
Stories help children develop listening, communication, memory and concentration skills. Through books, songs, poems and rhymes, children build vocabulary, learn to sequence events and begin to understand the link between spoken and written language. Storytelling also sparks curiosity, creativity and a sense of wonder.
A Rich Storytelling Environment
Storytelling is woven throughout our daily practice and takes place in many inviting spaces, including our library, cosy reading corners, sensory room, outdoor caravan and secret garden. We use props, puppets and familiar objects to bring stories to life and encourage children to interact, re-enact and create their own narratives.
Culture, Morals and Relationships
Stories help children understand values, emotions and relationships. Through traditional tales, modern stories and those shared by our diverse staff team, children are introduced to different cultures, languages and life lessons in a meaningful and accessible way.
From Babies to Pre-School
Storytelling begins from birth. Babies enjoy nursery rhymes, songs and gentle stories shared in warm, comforting spaces. As children grow, they become active participants - retelling, acting out and illustrating their own stories. This builds confidence, creativity and a strong foundation for literacy.
Working in Partnership with Families
Storytelling connects home and nursery. Children often bring favourite books from home, recognise shared stories and enjoy retelling them with pride. Parents are always welcome to share stories, join storytelling sessions and be part of their child’s learning journey.