Literacy doesn't have to interrupt play.
If you’ve ever felt torn between protecting child-led play and “making sure” literacy is covered, you’re not alone. I support early childhood educators with research-informed, developmentally responsive practices that nurture confident readers — without pressure, scripts, or sacrificing joy.
Grounded in research. Responsive to how children actually learn.
I've felt that tension too.
There was a time when I felt pulled in two directions — between structured literacy expectations and what I knew children needed in play.
What changed wasn’t choosing one over the other.
It was understanding how children actually learn to read.
When you understand the research and trust what you see, literacy and play stop competing and start working together.
Now I help educators bridge that gap with clarity, confidence, and practical tools they can use right away.
Something For Everyone
No matter your level of comfort with storytelling or early literacy, Little Stories has something for you!
Hire Laura
For your next PD day, conference, or family event you can hire Laura to present a training or workshop. She can come and do Storytelling and Storyacting in your early childhood setting. She also tutors young learners in reading and writing.
Immediate Downloads
Grab storytelling starters, prompts, visuals and more! Explore all the free resources you can use to start telling stories today and use child-led play to build literacy skills.
Learn On Your Own
Take a crash course on Vivian Paley's practice or a quick audio course on how to tell engaging stories. If you have more time and money to invest, get the Play-Based Literacy Masterclass to build foundational literacy development through child-led play.
Tune in to Stories That Stick
Join Laura, resident storyteller, as she shows you how oral stories inspire and captivate minds young and old. Tune in each week to hear a compelling story and join in meaningful conversations. Laura will be digging deep into the heart of storytelling: connection and listening. Come get lost in another world and discover how stories shape our lives.
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Listen now
"Children enter school accomplished storytellers, veteran fantasy players, only to discover quite abruptly that this great passion of theirs is not part of the curriculum."
Vivian Gussin Paley
You're invited to the Story Chest!
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