pre-school: 2-5 years

During these years, children develop the building blocks for creativity and storytelling, reading and writing. They are learning new words and ideas every day. They can take part in more complicated conversations and may ask lots of questions.

Children this age love listening to you telling or reading stories, and may enjoy story tapes. Stories help them make sense of the world around them and understand their feelings and other people's. As their attention span grows they can enjoy longer stories and become increasingly absorbed in pretend games. They will start to scribble and draw and to make the link between spoken and written language, perhaps recognising individual letters, or words such as their name.

5 story activities

1. Try to listen and respond to what they are telling you, for these are their earliest stories, and keep talking back to them.
2. Play make-believe games with funny voices and actions. You can keep it simple or go to town - with toys and puppets, face paints and costumes.
3. Tell or read stories whenever you can - in the car or on the bus, at bathtime or bedtime. These will become special moments in your day.
4. Gather a mix of colourful and interesting reading materials to enjoy together. Follow the words with your finger, point out pictures and talk together about the story. Let your child turn the pages and guess what happens next.
5. Encourage them to scribble and draw and make 'books' of their own. Making these early marks will help them later with their writing. Help them to sign a gift card or write a simple list. Praise their efforts, no matter how imperfect!