Once Upon a Story: How Fairytales Can Boost Childhood Literacy

Fairytales have captivated children for generations, transporting them to enchanted kingdoms, magical forests, and grand castles. But did you know that these beloved stories do more than entertain? They play a vital role in developing literacy skills and fostering a love of reading from an early age!

We believe every child deserves to experience the magic of stories. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, here are some princess-approved tips and tricks to use fairytales to improve childhood literacy—and make reading a royal adventure!

1. Read Aloud Like a Royal Bard 🎤👑

Reading aloud is one of the most powerful ways to build early literacy skills! Use fun voices, dramatic pauses, and sound effects to bring the story to life. Encourage kids to join in by repeating magical phrases like: ✨ "Mirror, mirror on the wall…" ✨ "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" ✨ "Once upon a time…"

Making reading interactive keeps children engaged and strengthens comprehension and vocabulary!

2. Act It Out Like a True Hero 🏰🎭

Transform storytime into a mini-theater performance! Have children dress up as their favorite characters and act out scenes as you read together. This helps improve: 📖 Reading comprehension – They visualize the story as they perform. 🗣️ Speech and communication skills – Reciting lines builds confidence. 💡 Creativity and imagination – Encourage kids to improvise moments.

Bring those classic tales to life! Whether you're slipping into Cinderella's glass slippers, dancing with Beauty and her Beast, or huffing and puffing with The Three Little Pigs, it's time to unleash your inner storybook superstar!

3. Make a Storytelling Treasure Chest 📜✨

Create a special storytime box filled with items that match fairytales. Include props like:

🔹 A toy glass slipper (Cinderella)

🔹 A golden crown (Sleeping Beauty)

🔹 Wearable fairy wings (any fairy tale!)

Before reading, let children pick an item from the box. Ask them to guess which story it belongs to or invent their own! This builds critical thinking skills and story prediction abilities.

4. Encourage “Happily Ever After” Writing ✏️📚

Encourage kids to rewrite fairytales with their own twist! Ask questions like:

👑 What if Cinderella never lost her glass slipper?

🐉 What if the dragon in Sleeping Beauty was actually friendly?

🧚 What if the fairy godmother granted three wishes instead of one?

Writing their own versions boosts creativity, vocabulary, and storytelling skills while making reading feel like a game!

5. Take Storytime Beyond the Pages 🏰📖

Fairytales don’t have to end when the book closes! Bring them into everyday activities:

🎨 Craft a castle – Use recycled materials to build a kingdom.

🎶 Sing princess songs – Lyrics build phonemic awareness.

🌳 Go on a “Quest for Books” – Set up a reading scavenger hunt!

Immersing kids in multi-sensory fairytale experiences reinforces their love for stories and makes learning magical.

Every Child Deserves a Fairytale 💖✨

At Fairytale Omaha, we bring fairytales to life while promoting literacy, creativity, and confidence in children. So grab a book, put on a crown, and let the fairytale begin! 📖👑✨