How healing and helping stories help

'Healing and helping stories' help young children understand real world events around them. This can help them feel less stressed. Birdie’s Tree books are healing and helping stories that help young children understand that:

  • a natural disaster isn't their fault
  • they're safe and loved
  • things will get better and hard times will end
  • adults will look after them
  • it’s okay to have and talk about 'big feelings' like worry, sadness, fear or anger.

Storybooks help children understand how they feel. They also help them cope with upsetting events and sad or scary feelings.

How to read with young children

When you read with children, help them connect with the story by:

  • making sounds for things like wind and rain
  • making faces to show the feelings in the book such as frowning when Birdie feels angry
  • changing your tone of voice, for example using a higher pitched voice for Birdie than for Mr Frog.

When you read to your child, they might want to talk about how they're feeling. Encourage them to talk about feelings, but don't force them if they're not ready. Some children might like to cuddle and sit close when reading.

It's okay to change the words in the book a bit to suit you and your child. Play and art can also help a child work through their feelings.

Watch our conversational reading video to learn more.

Duration: 04:53

Birdie is a happy bird who likes to sing.

Birdie likes to catch worms and talk with her friend Mr frog. What noise does a frog make?

Ribbit Ribbit good girl. Reading a book together is a great way for

babies and young children to connect with the adults who care for them.

You probably already know that reading with an adult helps young children develop literacy,

and other skills that they need for school. But did you know that reading together is

also good for little people's mental health and their social and emotional well-being? Sitting

close to you and hearing your voice helps the child feel safe, connected and cared for.

Being read to is fun, especially when the grown-up uses different voices and makes sound effects. I

think i'm sick crocked Mr frog. Fun and joy are good for a child's brain as it develops

and it's good for your brain too! Don't worry if you feel embarrassed about performing the story.

Just reading the words in a normal voice is fine, too. If reading's a challenge, or the book isn't

written in your first language, feel free to make the story up from looking at the pictures.

Stories like the Birdie books have been written especially to help babies and young children

who've experienced something stressful, like a natural disaster. Look at the weather. What's

it doing? One day when Birdie was looking for worms she spotted some dark clouds in the sky.

Ping. Ping. Ping. But you can read these books any time, to help little people learn the words

for big feelings like sad, scared, angry, worried or lonely. What happened to Mr Frog

or can you do a sad face bell? Oh Mr Frog's sad. It's good to help young

children learn to name these feelings and express them through talk, art and play.

Well what have you drawn here?

Footy. How do footies make you feel?

Identifying with characters in a story helps children feel they're not alone. It also helps

develop empathy and emotional intelligence, which are vital for getting along with other people.

'Conversational reading' means sharing in a kind of 'two-way conversation' with the child.

There are lots of ways to do this, even with a baby who's too young to talk yet.

Birdie is a happy bird who likes to sing. Point to the pictures as you read the words. As baby grows,

their eyes will look where you're pointing. They may point to pictures themselves. Comment on what

they're looking at or pointing to. See all the animals drinking out of the water. It can be good

to make sound effects and noises to help baby tune in and learn through your voice. As babies become

toddlers, they can join in by vocalising and pointing. You might like to describe features of

the pictures to expand the little one's language and observational skills. When you ask a question,

give the child time to respond. Oh what are they doing over here? What's this bird doing?

Eating worm. Yes, he is eating a worm. As children grow towards school age, they'll want

to chat more, and help you read the story. You can underline words with your finger as you read.

The wind blew harder and harder. Woo woo went that wind.

Children often want to read the same book over and over. They deepen their learning every time.

Sometimes it's part of how they deal with something stressful that's happened. A story can

help them sort out their feelings, and work out how to move on. We look at Birdie and Mr Frog. How

are they feeling in this bit? Sad. They look sad don't they? Why do you think they're feeling sad?

Because their home caught. Yeah, the fire got their homes didn't it?

It can be nice to make reading a part of a bedtime ritual.

Soon Mr Frog felt better. So did everyone else. But sharing stories is great. any time of day!

The Birdie stories are available online to read

for free or purchase as books - just browse 'Birdie's Tree'.

You can learn more about conversational reading online - just browse 'conversational reading'.

The end. Close your book.

Reading with babies

It’s good to read with babies from an early age. Reading can soothe babies and help them with future learning. It also helps you bond with your baby.

When you read with babies:

  • point to the pictures as you read the words
  • use a calm, soothing voice
  • talk about what your baby is looking or pointing at.

Reading with toddlers

Toddlers like to get involved when you read with them. They like to point at the pictures and talk about what they see.

When you read with toddlers:

  • describe the pictures to help them with their talking skills
  • encourage them to talk and ask questions about what they see
  • listen to what they say and answer their questions.

It’s important your toddler knows you care about what they're saying. You can help by telling them it’s okay to talk about what they remember or feel.

Reading with preschool children

Children in preschool and early primary school like to help read a story with you or read it on their own.

When you read with them:

  • talk with them about the book
  • encourage them to read out loud to you
  • help them with big words
  • tell them they're doing a good job.

Reading with groups

Group reading can be fun for young children at kindergarten, school or libraries.

You can encourage children to get involved in the story by:

  • making the sounds in the story such as wind or rain
  • acting out parts of the story, for example using their hands to make shapes.

When reading with a group:

  • make sure each child can see the book and hear your voice
  • help children talk about Birdie and Mr Frog's feelings
  • encourage quiet children to get involved
  • recognise when each child contributes
  • use music or songs such as 'If you're happy and you know it' at the start and end of the reading group
  • play games after reading the story to increase the children's learning.

Some children may be sensitive to loud sounds. Make sure you think about each child’s needs in group reading.

You might like to use the Birdie and Mr Frog hand puppets to bring the story to life. You can buy the puppets for $15 each plus shipping.

Last updated: April 2025

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