Creating a Storytelling Routine: A Home-schooling Mother’s Guide

As a home-schooling Mother with a strong focus on limiting screen time and nurturing a love for stories, I’ve found that establishing a storytelling routine can be one of the most rewarding parts of our day. Storytelling not only enriches our children’s imagination but also strengthens family bonds and encourages a love of learning that goes far beyond textbooks. If you’re looking to create a storytelling routine in your home, here are some tips from my own experience, inspired by natural and holistic educational approaches.

1. Find Natural Moments Throughout the Day

Storytelling can become a seamless part of your daily rhythm by integrating it into the natural flow of your day. Instead of setting a strict schedule, look for moments when your children are naturally calm and receptive, such as during a quiet afternoon, after spending time outdoors, or while winding down in the evening. These moments provide the perfect opportunity to share a story, allowing it to feel like a natural extension of your day rather than a structured activity.

2. Make Any Place the Right Place

In our home, there wasn’t a specific “storytelling corner”—any place could become the perfect spot for a story. Whether it was snuggling up on the sofa, sitting on the floor, or having the younger ones on my lap, the flexibility made storytelling feel natural and unforced. The important thing is that wherever you choose, it’s a place where your children feel comfortable and secure, ready to immerse themselves in the tale.

3. Choose Stories that Stand the Test of Time

In today’s world, where books can sometimes contain content that may not align with the values you wish to instil in your children, it’s important to choose stories carefully. Many books written in the past, like The Book of Kindness by Timothy Shay, are often purer and cleaner, as certain words and content were off limits. These older works often reflect a more innocent and wholesome worldview, free from the inappropriate language and themes that can sometimes be found in modern literature.

The shift in content standards began in the late 20th century, as cultural norms changed and publishers started pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in children’s books. This trend has led to an increase in books containing mature themes, explicit language, and content that may not be suitable for younger audiences. As a parent, this makes it increasingly important to vet the books your children read, much like you would monitor what they watch on TV.

In fact, just as films and television shows have age ratings to guide parents, it could be argued that books should also have similar ratings to help parents make informed choices about what their children are exposed to. By choosing classic literature and older stories, you can be more confident that the content is appropriate and aligns with the values you’re teaching at home. These stories not only entertain but also impart lessons and virtues that are timeless.

A good resource for checking the content of modern books is Common Sense Media, which provides detailed reviews and ratings based on age-appropriateness and educational value. Another helpful resource is Focus on the Family, which offers insights and reviews that align with family-friendly values. These tools can help you make informed choices about the books your children are exposed to.

4. Encourage Active Participation

Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging children’s minds and imaginations. Encourage your children to participate in the storytelling process by asking open-ended questions, inviting them to predict what might happen next, or allowing them to create their own endings to the stories. You can also include simple crafts, drawing, or even re-enacting parts of the story, which can help bring the tale to life. This approach fosters active engagement and deeper learning, allowing children to connect more personally with the stories.

5. Integrate Audiobooks to Enrich the Experience

While reading aloud offers a personal touch, audiobooks can enhance your storytelling routine by providing a variety of voices, accents, and styles of narration. This auditory diversity can deepen your children’s understanding of language and culture. In our home, we often use audiobooks to complement our storytelling sessions, exploring topics that align with the seasons, nature, or the values we’re focusing on. Audiobooks are also a wonderful way to keep the storytelling alive when you’re engaged in other activities, like cooking or driving, making it easy to maintain a rich and varied storytelling routine.

6. Make Storytelling a Foundation for Independent Reading

In the early years, storytelling—whether through reading aloud or listening to audiobooks—can be a daily ritual that fills your child’s world with wonder and imagination. As they grow older, the stories you’ve shared will lay a strong foundation for independent reading. You can gradually encourage your children to explore books on their own, building on the love for stories that you’ve nurtured together. This transition from shared storytelling to independent reading helps foster a lifelong love of literature and learning.

7. Adapt to Your Children’s Growth

As your children grow, their needs and interests will change, and so should your storytelling routine. Introduce stories that align with their developmental stages, whether it’s more complex narratives, stories that challenge their thinking, or tales that encourage self-reflection. Allow your children to take the lead as they become more confident, whether by choosing the stories themselves or even taking turns telling them. This flexibility ensures that storytelling remains a dynamic and enriching part of their education.

Creating a storytelling routine is one of the most rewarding practices you can establish in your home. It nurtures a love for literature, strengthens family bonds, and provides a screen-free way to explore the world. By finding natural moments, choosing stories with timeless values, and encouraging active participation, you can create a storytelling tradition that enriches your children’s lives and supports their holistic development. Whether you’re reading aloud, sharing audiobooks, or crafting your own tales, the time you spend in the world of stories is truly invaluable.