Friendship is one of the first big life lessons children learn — and stories are one of the safest, most powerful ways to explore it. When kids read or listen to stories about characters forming friendships, working through disagreements, or helping one another, they are quietly practicing real-life social skills. Research shows that when children and caregivers read and discuss stories together, children improve not only language skills but also empathy, perspective-taking, and communication. Stories Teach Empathy When a child

Peter and Pauliline. Silly snakes. Bouncing bears. Alliteration — when words begin with the same sound — is one of the most powerful tools in early reading. It helps children hear, recognize, and play with the sounds that make up words. Why Sound Awareness Matters Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and work with the smallest sounds in language. Research shows that children who develop strong phonemic awareness learn to read more easily and become stronger readers. How Alliteration

Story time should feel magical — not like homework. Reading aloud helps children grow vocabulary, listening skills, and emotional connection, all while building a lifelong love of books. Here are seven creative ways to make story time more engaging and meaningful for young readers. 1. Use Character Voices Changing your voice for different characters makes stories feel alive and helps children follow the narrative more easily. 2. Pause for Questions Asking “What do you think happens next?” or “How do