What is a beneficial practice for children during storytime to enhance their learning?

Enabling children to retell and memorize favorite stories is a highly beneficial practice during storytime because it actively engages them in the narrative and promotes comprehension. When children retell stories, they are practicing critical skills such as sequencing events, understanding character motivations, and recalling key details. This process not only helps with memory retention but also enhances their oral language skills as they articulate their thoughts and feelings about the story. Additionally, retelling encourages creativity, as children may add their own twists to the narratives, further deepening their connection to the material and fostering a love for storytelling. By memorizing parts or the entirety of their favorite stories, children can develop phonemic awareness and improve their vocabulary, both essential components of emergent literacy.