Quality Area 5 in Action: Strengthening Relationships Through Story

Why Storytime Supports EYLF Quality Area 5

Shared reading offers a unique opportunity for educators and children to come together in a close, attentive space. Sitting side by side, sharing eye contact and engaging with a story builds more than vocabulary; it builds intimacy and co-regulation. These simple yet powerful moments help create a safe environment where children feel seen, heard and emotionally supported.

When an educator reads with genuine expression, pausing to check in with the group, or responds warmly to a child’s comment, they’re modelling the kind of connection QA5 encourages. It’s a moment to slow down and notice not just the story, but the children themselves.

Through storytelling, educators can respond to children’s verbal and non-verbal cues with warmth and curiosity. This gentle attunement shows children that their thoughts, feelings, and ideas matter. Stories also provide a natural bridge for exploring big feelings, developing empathy and practising problem-solving, all within a nurturing context.

Over time, these shared moments build a foundation of trust. Children begin to associate learning with connection and that’s a powerful place to start.

The Playful Astronauts: Life Skills Among the Stars

The Playful Astronauts is a captivating and educational children’s book that takes young readers on an unforgettable journey through space. With each planet visited, the playful astronauts encounter new challenges and experiences that help them learn important life skills and values such as confidence, empathy, kindness, resilience, gratitude, adaptability, vulnerability and the power to handle conflict.

The gentle narrative and vibrant illustrations offer countless touchpoints for educators to pause and engage. ‘How do you think the astronauts felt?’ or ‘What would you do if you were on that spaceship?’ become natural entry points for meaningful conversation.

By the end of the journey, children are inspired to become compassionate, confident and resilient individuals. The Playful Astronauts invites educators and children alike to explore vital social and emotional skills together, creating moments of shared understanding and connection that embody the very heart of QA5.

For educators, this story is a ready-made springboard for discussions about teamwork, courage and kindness and a wonderful way to affirm each child’s unique strengths.

The Shadow That Follows: Exploring Fears Through Friendship

The Shadow That Follows tells the story of a boy whose shadow represents his hidden fears. At first, the shadow feels big and overwhelming, but through friendship and gentle support, the boy learns to face his fears with courage, discovering that even the darkest shadows can shrink with understanding and care.

This beautifully written narrative invites powerful conversations about safety, trust and emotional resilience. It opens a door for children to express their own worries; perhaps about starting school, making friends, or trying something new and for educators to offer reassurance and guidance in a safe, supportive space.

Reading The Shadow That Follows together offers more than a lovely story. It’s a shared experience that invites children to see that they are not alone in their feelings. It normalises fear as something we all experience and something we can learn to manage with help from others.

An essential book for every kindy and early primary school classroom, this story strengthens the relational threads between educators and children, creating a safe space for vulnerability and growth.

Practical Strategies for Educators to Strengthen Relationships Through Story

Intentional shared reading can transform storytime from a passive activity into a rich, relationship-building experience. Here are simple strategies educators can use to align storytime with QA5 principles:

Invite responses
Ask children open-ended questions that encourage thinking and sharing, such as ‘What would you do if you were an astronaut?’ or ‘How did that part make you feel?’ These questions open the door for connection and show children that their ideas are valued.

Side-by-side reading
Sit physically close when sharing a book, whether one-on-one or in a small group. This proximity creates a sense of safety, presence and warmth. It’s a simple way to build closeness and notice children’s reactions in the moment.

Acknowledge feelings
Name the emotions you see or hear, both in the story and in the group. Saying things like ‘You look curious’ or ‘That part made me feel brave too’ helps children learn to name and trust their feelings, building emotional literacy.

Extend the story
Invite children to play. Imagine what might happen next or how the characters might feel after the story ends. This not only sparks creativity but also encourages empathy and perspective-taking, key skills for healthy relationships.

Reflect afterwards
After reading, invite children to reflect: ‘What did you like about that story?’ or ‘Did anything remind you of something in your life?’This reflection strengthens understanding and gives children a voice.

These everyday strategies turn storytime into an experience that nourishes connection, builds trust and supports social and emotional learning in meaningful ways.

The Benefits for Children

When educators prioritise relationship-building through shared stories, the benefits for children are profound.

Emotional literacy
Children learn to recognise, name and express their feelings in healthy ways. They build a vocabulary for emotions and the confidence to share them.

Secure attachments
Feeling truly seen and heard by trusted adults helps children develop strong, secure relationships that support their sense of belonging and safety.

Self-regulation
Knowing someone understands them helps children manage big emotions more calmly. Shared stories can be a calming, co-regulating experience that supports emotional resilience.

Social confidence
Through stories, children practise empathy and perspective-taking. They learn to understand others’ feelings, which builds social confidence and supports positive peer interactions.
These outcomes don’t just happen in formal teaching moments; they grow in the everyday interactions that happen during shared reading, on the mat, or curled up with a book in hand.

Bringing Quality Area 5 to Life in Your Classroom or Home

Quality Area 5 is more than a standard to be met; it’s about the lived experience of children feeling connected, supported and respected every day. When educators and families create regular, intentional opportunities for connection, they build a relational foundation that helps children thrive.

Shared reading with titles like The Playful Astronauts and The Shadow That Follows offers a practical, joyful way to nurture these essential relationships. These stories don’t just support literacy outcomes; they become a tool for emotional growth, relational connection and social learning.

Why not introduce these stories at your next group time or reading corner? Notice how they open up conversations, invite emotional expression and deepen bonds between children and educators. Watch how a simple story can spark a meaningful connection and help bring the spirit of QA5 alive in your setting.

Explore these titles and more at Amba Children’s Publishing and discover how intentional stories can help build the connected, caring relationships every child deserves.