Story Science Zone

Why stories matter for growing minds — with a quick quiz, a phonics explorer and a conversation card for tonight’s story.

ParentsFree

Myth or fact?

Six quick questions about reading with children. How many can you get right?

Question 1 of 6

Once children can read on their own, there’s no point reading aloud to them.

0/6

Your score so far. Every answer comes with a short explanation.

What is your child learning at school? Pick a phase to see what it covers — and tap the sounds to hear them.

Usually early in Reception

Children learn their first 19 letter sounds and start blending them into short words, like s-a-t → sat.

Try at home: Say words in “robot talk” — c-a-t — and let your child blend them back together.

Tap to hear

Words to read

satpintapnap

Timings follow the Letters and Sounds guidance; every school and every child moves at their own pace. Practise more in the Sound Button Studio.

Five kinds of question that turn story time into a conversation — known as CROWD prompts. Tap a letter, or shuffle for a surprise card.

Completion · Recall · Open-ended · Wh- questions · Distancing. Use one or two per story — it should feel like a chat, not a test.

C · Completion

Try saying:

“The wolf huffed and he puffed and he…”

Short explainers on why stories matter. No jargon and no invented statistics — each ends with something to try tonight.