At Quest Compassionate Education, we believe that learning should be engaging, inspiring, and rooted in experiences that children naturally love. That’s why we’re so excited about incorporating storytime into our English language lessons. Storytime isn’t just a fun activity—it’s a powerful tool for improving language skills, building confidence, and developing a lifelong love of reading. 

Storytime as a Gateway to Language Development

The Importance of Storytime in Language Learning

Research shows that storytime plays a critical role in language development for young children. According to Dr. Sandra L. Gillam, a leading researcher in child language development, storytime enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and the ability to use language creatively. Listening to stories exposes children to new words and sentence structures, helping them to develop the skills they’ll need to communicate effectively.

For children learning English as an additional language, the benefits are even greater. Storytime provides an opportunity to hear the rhythm and flow of the language in a natural, meaningful context. It’s an immersive experience that helps children make connections between sounds, words, and meanings.

How Storytime Supports Language Development

1. Expanding Vocabulary
   • Through storytelling, children encounter new words in context, making it easier for them to understand and remember them.
   • Repeated exposure to these words during storytime reinforces their learning.
2. Improving Listening and Comprehension Skills
   • Listening to stories teaches children how to process spoken language and understand its meaning, a foundational skill for communication.
   • Asking questions during and after the story encourages critical thinking and active engagement.
3. Building Confidence in Speaking
   • When children retell stories or act them out, they practice using new words and phrases in a safe, supportive environment.
   • Storytime often includes opportunities for interaction, such as repeating phrases or responding to prompts, which encourages participation.

The Long-Term Benefits of Storytime

1. Instilling a Love of Reading
   • Children who experience the joy of stories early on are more likely to develop a love of reading, which supports academic success and lifelong learning.
2. Improved Academic Performance
   • Studies by the National Literacy Trust show that children who read for pleasure perform better in school across all subjects, not just English.
3. Enhanced Creativity and Imagination
   • Storytime introduces children to new ideas, cultures, and possibilities, helping them to think creatively and expand their worldviews.

Using Libraries to Host Storytime

Libraries provide the perfect setting for storytime. With access to a variety of books, children can experience stories in both English and Khmer, creating a bilingual environment that enhances their learning.

• Combining English and Khmer Books:
  • Starting with Khmer books helps children feel comfortable and connected to the stories. Introducing English books alongside these familiar stories eases the transition to a new language.
  • For example, reading an English version of a well-known Khmer folktale allows children to build on their existing knowledge while learning new vocabulary and phrases.
• Encouraging Children to Choose Their Own Books:
  • Allowing children to select the books they want to hear or read empowers them and makes the experience more meaningful.
  • Children are more likely to engage with stories they’ve chosen themselves, leading to greater enjoyment and better learning outcomes.

Combining Storytime with English Lessons

Our approach at Quest Compassionate Education integrates storytime into our English lessons in a way that feels natural and engaging for young learners. Here’s how:

1. Interactive Storytelling:
   • Teachers read stories with animated voices, gestures, and props to bring the characters to life.
2. Follow-Up Activities:
   • After storytime, children participate in activities like drawing their favourite scene, acting out the story, or practising key phrases they heard.
3. Encouraging Reading at Home:
   • Families are encouraged to borrow books and continue the storytelling tradition at home, reinforcing the learning experience.

A Vision for the Future

By hosting storytime sessions in libraries and communities, we’re not only teaching English but also helping children discover the joy of reading. With quality libraries and a thoughtful mix of English and Khmer books, we can create an environment where children develop the language skills they need to succeed—and the love of learning that will stay with them for life.

Our dream is to see storytime flourish in every community we work with, bringing children together to laugh, learn, and grow through the power of stories.

Would you like to support our mission? Your donations help us provide books, resources, and training for teachers to bring storytime to life. Together, we can open up a world of possibilities for Cambodia’s children.