Sharing stories with children aged 3-5

Reading to and with your child is the most powerful way to support their education and development. Books help children to learn to read – that much is obvious. But regular reading from a very young age also helps to develop speech and understanding of language. Books can even teach children about friendships, empathy and tolerance, as well as developing their mathematical skills and understanding of the world around them. 

Cheshire East libraries have a wonderful selection of books which you can borrow and enjoy.  From birth every child can have a library card which means they can borrow up to 20 items for free. Find out more about how to join your library

Bookstart provide a wonderful Bookstart Baby pack with specially selected books for you to enjoy with your baby. If you have not received this pack speak to your health visitor, ask at your family hub or ask at your local library .

Sharing stories with your Baby

“Sharing stories with your child is a great way to have a moment of closeness, laughing and talking together. It can also help them learn more about the world around them.”

BookTrust 2023

Videos showing some ideas to share stories at home: 

• Have a look at this video about the amazing benefits of sharing stories with your child.  
• This video from BookTrust shows lots of easy ways to make sharing stories fun
• Watch how this dad repeats the words of the pictures that his baby is interested in.
• Books are also a great to add toy your bedtime routine and can help getting babies to sleep: Bath Book Bed

Book recommendations

• Newborns | BookTrust
• Baby's First Books | BookTrust
• Best Books for babies 0-12 months | BookTrust
• Bookstart Toddler for ages 1-2 | BookTrust

BookTrust’s Bookfinder will help you discover the very best kids' books: magical mysteries, astonishing adventures and fantastic facts. Simply choose an age range, pick as many themes as you want to search through thousands of book reviews, and get reading. Enjoy!

BookTrust themed booklists cover a large range of subjects, from everyday issues to genre, disability, diversity, sporty books, funny books, and more.

Rhymes and songs

Singing to baby is one of the best things you can do to help their early learning. You baby will not mind if this is a classic nursery rhyme or your favourite song. Babies naturally tune into singing and it can help introduce them to new words. Find out more about how singing to your baby helps them learn

• Join in with a virtual Rhymetime from your local library - Sing Along With Us From Home
• Home Time rhymes to sing along with

Library sessions to enjoy

Baby Bounce

• Bring your baby along to sing some of our favourite rhymes and enjoy lots of face to face and tummy time. A fun session for you and your baby under 12 months.

Rhymetimes

• Come along and sing songs with your child in our friendly rhymetime session. 

Stories and Songs

• Stories, rhymes and activities for pre-school children and their grown-ups.
• Find out when your these sessions are available from your local library. 

Page last reviewed: 12 March 2024