In this session, we were joined by Dr. Regina Rees, from Tools for Life. Dr. Rees talked about how storytime is a powerful way to introduce children to language, feelings, sequence, and new ideas.
đ¤Our Special Guest!
Dr. Regina Rees

Dr. Regina Rees has been a teacher and literacy specialist for over 40 years and a storyteller for 35 years. Regina joined Tools for Life in 2016, where she serves as Senior Training and Development Consultant. In addition to her work as an associate professor at the Beeghly College of Education, Youngstown State University, she has presented seminars at many local, state, and national educational conferences. As a storyteller, Regina has presented programs and workshops at schools, conferences, and community events. Her work with Tools for Life includes developing curriculum material and providing numerous training sessions in Canada and the United States. Regina believes that integrating stories into all areas of the curriculum motivates children and enhances learning. Storytime should be a vital part of the day with children..
đ§ŞKey Learning Outcomes From Dr. Rees
- Itâs critical for young children to develop language.
- Language develops through listening to the world around us.
- Reading out loud and storytelling are our best ways to give children a rich language experience.
- Reading out loud has been found to be the single most important activity for building knowledge expected for success for reading. It is KEY!
- At least 15 minutes starting at birth is important to read to children.
- Reading is all about social and emotional skills. When you read to a child, itâs a social experience. You model reading and help the children acquire language skills.
- There is no excuse to eliminate reading with children!
- Itâs a great introduction to storytelling sequencing (beginning, middle, and end). Reading opens a childâs mind to more imagination.
- With children who are younger, like infants or toddlers, donât pick a story thatâs too long.
- The three Râs to reading are repetition, rhythm, and rhyme!
â¨Resources
- [Webinar] – Social Skills for Play and Learning
- [Podcast] – Tools to Manage Social Stress in the Early Years
- Check out Tools for Life, Better Beginnings
- Tools for Life Family Storytime – The most important time of the day!
- [Handout] – Tools for Life Storytelling Series: Create Your Own Storytelling
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