tell a story to children

Meaning

This phrase describes the act of narrating a fictional or real tale to young kids, often at bedtime or in educational settings. It implies engaging their imagination and using a warm, expressive tone. It is a common daily routine for parents, teachers, and babysitters.

Examples

• Every night before bed, I tell a story to children in the nursery.

  Every night before bed, I tell a story to children in the nursery.

• The librarian loves to tell a story to children during the weekend reading hour.

  The librarian loves to tell a story to children during the weekend reading hour.

• Can you tell a story to children while I prepare dinner?

  Can you tell a story to children while I prepare dinner?

• He has a unique talent to tell a story to children without using any books.

  He has a unique talent to tell a story to children without using any books.

• She decided to volunteer at the shelter and tell a story to children there.

  She decided to volunteer at the shelter and tell a story to children there.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to say a story to children.

  ✓ I want to tell a story to children.

  In English, we 'tell' stories, jokes, or secrets. We do not 'say' them.

• ✗ She told a story for children.

  ✓ She told a story to children.

  While 'for children' can mean the story is intended for kids, when describing the direct action of narrating to an audience, we use 'tell to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The volunteer loves to ___ at the local library every Saturday.

  💡 Narrate a tale to young kids.

  Show answer

  tell a story to children

• It takes a lot of patience and energy to ___.

  💡 Share a narrative with kids.

  Show answer

  tell a story to children