The Power of Storytime: Reading as a Tool for Bonding with Foster Toddlers

Reading to toddlers is a powerful way for foster carers to build a connection and bond with the young children in their care. While foster toddlers may have experienced trauma or adversity, storytime provides a calm, nurturing activity that can help them feel safe and secure with their foster family. This article explores the benefits of reading to foster toddlers and provides tips for making the most of storytime. 

Creating a Sense of Closeness and Routine

Simply sitting together for a regular storytime routine can help foster toddlers feel a greater sense of closeness and belonging with their foster carers. The physical closeness, eye contact, and one-on-one attention of reading together is nurturing for a young child. Having a predictable storytime routine also gives children a sense of security. Over time, they come to associate storytime with feelings of being relaxed and cared for.

Supporting Language and Cognitive Development

The interactive experience of reading aloud helps foster toddlers develop language and cognition. Listening to stories exposes children to new words, concepts, and ideas. Discussing the story and characters gives toddlers a chance to practice communicating. Pointing out pictures and asking questions also stimulates critical thinking skills. Studies show that reading to young children, especially in an engaging manner, boosts their brain and learning development.

Promoting Emotional Connections

As families fostering in Northern Ireland show interest in the story topics and encourage the child’s reactions, reading together can help build the toddler’s emotional intelligence. Children learn to associate books with pleasurable bonding time, which nurtures their ability to connect with others. The characters can become friends that foster toddlers attach to, which aids their empathy and understanding of relationships.

Tips for Making Storytime Meaningful

There are many ways foster carers can maximise storytime for bonding with toddlers:

• Choose engaging books with rhymes, repetition, bright pictures, and/or familiar characters. Board books allow toddlers to turn pages themselves.
• Use animated voices and props. Ham it up to bring the story alive!
• Stop periodically to discuss the pictures and story. Simple questions prompt engagement.
• Relate the story to the child’s own experiences when possible.
• Be responsive when the child points or gets excited. Follow their interests in the story.
• Sit close together in a quiet, distraction-free zone for a peaceful atmosphere.
• Establish a consistent storytime routine, like after bath and before bed. Rituals provide comfort.
• Let the child hold the book and turn pages at their own pace to build independence.
• Make reading interactive by pointing, acting silly, or using stuffed animals.
• Name emotions characters experience to build emotional intelligence.
• Keep it fun! Laughter and smiles make positive associations.
• Offer lots of praise and encouragement when they engage with the story.
• Be patient. Don’t force interactions; let the child lead.

With thoughtfulness and attentiveness from foster carers, the simple act of reading can forge meaningful connections with foster toddlers. Just a few minutes of focused bonding at storytime helps lay a foundation of trust, attachment and developmental gains.