How To Make Storytime a Powerful Tool for language, Social and Emotional Learning
Let’s Be Honest…
Looking after little ones is a joy—but it’s NOT EASY! Helping them navigate big emotions, learn to share, take turns, and interact positively—all in a busy nursery setting—can feel exhausting.
🚗 "Who had it first?" – The daily sharing struggles.
📢 "Indoor voices, please!" – Managing noise levels.
⏳ "Time to come inside!" – Transition tantrums.
BUT WHAT IF STORYTIME COULD HELP WITH ALL THIS? Imagine using engaging stories to teach social, emotional, and language skills in a way that feels effortless—no more constant battles, just fun and learning!
Here’s a super easy 3-step method to turn storytime into a powerful tool for social emotional development…
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Step 1. Read a story
Bring Learning to Life with an Engaging Story
Busy nursery days often bring the same challenges—arguments over toys, turn-taking struggles, and big emotions. Instead of repeating instructions, why not make learning fun and effortless with storytelling?
Say you want to teach sharing. Instead of just telling children to take turns, show them through a story. Read about Jaz the Bear, who struggles to share. But don’t just read—bring it to life!
HOW TO BRING THE STORY TO LIFE
✨ Use a silly voice for Jaz to make the children giggle.
✨ Bring out a bear puppet and let them take turns holding it.
✨ Use props, like a toy car, to act out waiting and sharing.
✨ Encourage children to role-play—helping them practice the lesson in a fun way.
When children laugh, engage, and participate, they’re not just hearing a lesson—they’re experiencing it. Next time they argue over a toy, a simple “Remember Jaz the Bear?” can bring the lesson back—without the battles! 😊
Step 2. Say Affirmations
Use Positive Phrases to enhance learning experinece.
After reading about Jaz the Bear, turn the key message—"Sharing is caring"—into a simple, daily affirmation.
When a sharing dispute happens, instead of jumping in with instructions, just say, “Remember what Jaz the Bear says—sharing is caring!” Suddenly, it’s not just an adult’s rule—it’s a fun, familiar lesson from their favorite story.
Repeating Jaz’s words throughout the day reinforces the message in a way that sticks. And because it’s coming from Jaz the Bear instead of a grown-up, children are far more likely to listen, remember, and apply it—all with less resistance and more smiles! 😊
Step 3. Do Follow-Up Activities
Activities help children practice and reinforce key skills in a fun, hands-on way! After reading about Jaz the Bear, try these simple ideas:
🎶 Songs & Games – Sing a catchy rhyme like “Sharing is caring, that’s how we play!” to make the lesson stick. Play games like "pass the parcel" to encourage turn-taking and sharing in action.
🖍️ Mindful Coloring – Give children Jaz the Bear coloring sheets to reflect on the story while listening to calming music. Add a fun twist—let them color Jaz in different shades to match his emotions throughout the story.
These activities keep children engaged, reinforce learning, and make social and emotional skills feel like play. Plus, they’ll be having so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re learning! 😊
Now you know how to use storytime as a powerful tool —but how can you implement this in a way that’s not time-consuming or resource-draining? Don’t worry, I’m here to help with that!
I'M SOPHIA AND I KNOW ALL ABOUT NURSERY LIFE!
I've been working in early years for over 20 years, and I totally understand the complexities of tryng to support each individual child's varying social, emotional and langauge needs in a busy nursery environment.
Thats why I founded Teeno and Co to help nurseries teach children early emotional wellbeing skills. My passion for helping children feel good about themselves and improving nursery life for them is what drives me.
I have created a simple 3-step
story-based WELLBEING ADVENTURE PROGRAM which enhances children's early social, emotional and language skills so they can thrive in their early years!
BENEFITS OF WELLBEING ADVENTURE PROGRAM
Colourful Story Books
Stories provides consistent, structured social emotional learning.
Activity Guides
Engaging hands-on ways to practice social emotional concepts.
Wellbeing Story Friends!
Bring stories to life awakening children's imagination & creativity
Parent involvement packs
Saves time and keeps parents engaged.
"Our wellbeing provision for our children has definately been enhanced by the wellbeing classes. The sessions are very appropriate, informative and extremely entertaining for the children!"
Nathalie
Manager at Pathfield Nursery Streatham
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How it works
Step 1: Schedule a free consultation
We discuss your current needs and interests for your setting and if my programs are a good match.
Step 2: Recieve a personalised action plan
I provide you with a no obligation personalised reccommendations and ideas
Step 3: Enjoy instant access to the Programs, Courses and Resources!
Start creating happier children and staff!
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12 STORIES FOR A WHOLE YEAR: Provides consistent, structured emotional learning.
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3 COLOURFUL STORYBOOKS: Tangible, interactive learning resources. (physical)
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12 DOWLOADABLE STORY BOOKS: Making the stories more available
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3 WELLBEING STORY FRIENDS: Provides comfort and emotional guidance (physical)
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ONLINE PORTAL OF RESOURCES: Provides convenience with everything in one place
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12 AFFIRMATION POSTERS: Reinforces positive language and mindset daily. (pdf)
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STAFF COURSE: Empowers educators with essential wellbeing knowledge.
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ACTIVITY GUIDES: Engaging hands-on Activities to practice wellbeing concepts. (pdf)
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EYFS PLANNING SUPPORT: Ensures alignment with early years curriculum. (pdf)
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PARENT ACCESS STORY VIDEOS: Reinforces learning at home with flexibility. (pdf)
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AFFIRMATION CARDS: Quick reminders for home and nursery to build positive self-talk.
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12 PARENT COMMUNICATION LETTERS: Saves staff time and keeps parents engaged. (pdf)
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BONUS/CALM DOWN CORNER: Creates a supportive, emotion-regulating space (pdf)
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BONUS/WALL DISPLAY PACK: Creates an environment of wellbeing (pdf)
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BONUS/NEW PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES: Providing more variety and choice
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ONGOING SUPPORT: Guidance and reassurance for staff.
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CANCEL ANYTIME: No long-term commitment, risk-free
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AND SO MUCH MORE!
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL GET