Storytelling tips: how to make a read-aloud come alive
27 September 2026 · 4 min read
Pauses, voices and page turns — small storytelling techniques that keep young listeners leaning in.
The page turn is your cliffhanger
Picture books are written around page turns. Pause just before you turn, lower your voice, and let the anticipation build.
Children quickly learn that something good waits on the next page — and start turning it themselves.
One voice per character is enough
You do not need to be an actor. A slightly slower, sleepier voice for the Lazy Brain is all it takes to make a character unforgettable.
What to try first
- Slow down for sleepy characters, speed up for excited ones.
- Let silence do some work — a beat of quiet is dramatic.
- Invite your child to say a repeated line with you.
