Why stories matter more than ever (and why Story Sense are the one to support you!)

If you’ve seen our new Why Stories Matter poster, you’ll know the numbers around children’s reading make for tough reading. Just one in three children now say they enjoy reading, which is shockingly the lowest level in 20 years! And fewer than one in five read daily for pleasure.

For teachers and nursery teams, it’s no surprise. Tight timetables, funding cuts and packed curricula mean there’s less time for the joyful, creative side of learning. From working in a school, I can attest to that! But that’s exactly where a child’s love of language begins and not in the test paper, but in the story that sparks a question, creativity or an idea.

The joy gap in classrooms

Reading enjoyment is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing, yet children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have good mental health. Still, many simply don’t have the opportunity to discover that joy. One in ten children in the UK don’t own a single book, and children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are the least likely to reach reading expectations by age 11.

The impact runs far deeper than test results. The National Literacy Trust found that children born into areas with the lowest literacy levels often have the lowest life expectancies. A boy born in Stockton Town Centre, for example, can expect to live more than 26 years less than one born in North Oxford.

Teachers are doing incredible work under immense pressure, but they can’t fill this gap alone. Literacy isn’t just an academic skill – it’s the foundation for confidence, communication, empathy and connection.

How Story Sense helps

That’s where Story Sense steps in. Our sessions bring unique stories to life through sensory storytelling, play and movement. We build the kind of experiences that make language tangible, in a story they can feel.

Our affordable sessions spark children’s imagination, strengthen vocabulary and build the listening and social skills that last long beyond story time.

Each session is EYFS-aligned, fun and completely inclusive. Children explore, move, and create, connecting what they hear to what they see and do. It’s storytelling, science, art, and play rolled into one.

Real stories, real results

We’ve seen children who rarely spoke in class start repeating new words, toddlers build confidence to join in group play, and families rediscover the joy of stories at home. When stories become active, something clicks.

And it’s not just about the little ones. Educators tell us they feel reinspired, too, and I’ve heard from educators who have said it’s reminded them of why they first wanted to teach.

A national focus on reading

Next year marks the National Literacy Trust’s Year of Reading, a nationwide call to put stories back at the heart of childhood. It’s a perfect moment for schools and nurseries to think differently about how reading is introduced and experienced.

If you’re a teacher, nursery manager or early years lead, Story Sense can support your setting’s literacy goals affordably, in a way that’s proven to make a tangible difference and joyful.

Because stories don’t just build and inspire readers, storytelling builds happier, more connected communities.

Find out more about bringing Story Sense to your school or nursery.