How do I use rhymes and stories in pre-primary teaching?
Use rhymes daily to build vocabulary, rhythm and sound awareness, adding actions so children join in. Use stories to build listening, imagination and language: read aloud with expression, show pictures, pause to ask 'What happens next?', and let children retell with puppets or props. Include rhymes and stories in children's home languages as well as English.
What this means in practice
Reading aloud is one of the most powerful early-literacy activities, and repetition helps children learn.
Story-time technique
- Introduce the cover and predict
- Read with voices and expression
- Pause for questions and predictions
- Retell with props
- Link to an activity (drawing, role play)
Rhyme ideas
Counting rhymes, action songs, finger plays and local folk rhymes.
Choosing good books
Look for books with clear pictures, repetition, rhythm and simple language. Predictable stories, where a phrase repeats, let children join in. Include books that reflect children's own lives, languages and cultures, as well as books about other places. Rotate your book corner regularly, and let children borrow books home if your school allows it, to build reading habits with families.
Practical next steps
- Build a list of 20 rhymes.
- Read one story daily.
- Repeat favourites often.
- Create a story bag of props.
Common follow-up questions
How long should story time be?
About 10 to 15 minutes.
Is repetition boring for children?
No; young children love and learn from repetition.
Sources
- Education Endowment Foundation: Early Years Toolkit
- UNESCO: Mother tongue-based multilingual education
Course facts from APTTI's published course pages, checked 10 October 2026. Editorial policy.