What routine helps a child wait for their turn in storytelling sessions? 

Parenting Perspective 

Storytelling sessions can be thrilling for children, filled with an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. This excitement, however, can often spill over into impatience, leading to them blurting out endings or interrupting midway through. A calm, structured routine can help your child to enjoy the story fully while also learning the art of waiting, a skill that nurtures patience, respect, and self-control in all areas of life. 

Recognise the Excitement, Not the Interruption 

Children often interrupt not because they wish to spoil the moment, but because they are emotionally immersed in the story and want to share their thoughts right away. Recognising this can help you to keep your tone gentle and supportive. 

‘You are so excited, and that is wonderful! Let us use that excitement to practise waiting for our turn.’ 

When your response begins with understanding, your guidance will be met with warmth, not resistance. 

Prepare with Clear Expectations 

Setting clear expectations before the session begins can prevent confusion and frustration later on. You could say: 

‘During storytime, we will listen first, and everyone will get a turn to speak afterwards. When it is your turn, I will point to you or call your name.’ 

Establishing this boundary before the activity starts helps to manage expectations and prevent emotional surprises. 

Establish a Calming Pre-Story Ritual 

A short, simple ritual before every storytelling session can signal a time for calmness and readiness. For example, you could: 

• Take a deep breath together. 

• Sit with hands folded or resting on the lap. 

• Quietly say together, ‘I listen, I wait, I share.’ 

This rhythmic cue helps to connect the act of listening with a sense of pride and purpose. Over time, the routine itself can become a calming anchor. 

Use Visual Cues for Fairness 

Children respond very well to visual aids. You could use a ‘story stick’ or a ‘listening token,’ where whoever is holding the object has the floor to speak. This reinforces the idea of fairness in a tangible and friendly way. 

Frame Waiting as Active Listening 

Help your child to see waiting not as a period of silence, but as an opportunity for discovery. After each story, you could ask: 

‘What did you notice while you were listening?’ 

‘What part of the story surprised you?’ 

This teaches them that listening is an active process that can grow their imagination and understanding. 

Spiritual Insight 

Patience in listening and respect in conversation are values that are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. Just as storytelling requires a calm attention to the speaker, faith calls for a humility of the heart and control of the tongue. Teaching your child to wait for their turn is not just about manners; it is about nurturing refined behaviour (adab) and patience (sabr) as acts of worship in their everyday life. 

Listening and Restraint in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Aa‘raaf (7), Verse 204: 

‘And when the Quran is recited, so listen to it, and pay attention to it, so that you may receive mercy (from Allah Almighty).‘ 

This verse emphasises the spiritual value of attentive listening, showing that mercy follows those who pause and reflect. Teaching your child to wait patiently during storytelling helps to connect their everyday actions to the possibility of a divine reward. 

The Prophet’s ﷺ Example of Respectful Silence 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3976, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Part of a man’s good observance of Islam is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him.’ 

This hadith reflects the Prophetic principle of restraint, of speaking at the right time and listening when it is another’s turn. When your child learns to wait patiently during storytelling, they are practising this same spiritual discipline, controlling their impulses and valuing the contributions of others, which helps to bring a sense of calm to shared spaces. 

The storytelling circle is more than just a place for imagination; it is a training ground for patience and empathy. Each time your child waits for their turn, they are practising the quiet confidence that comes from showing respect. 

Over time, this calm routine will teach them that waiting does not take away from the joy of the story, but actually deepens it. With every moment of quiet listening, they will grow in both character and grace, reflecting the serenity and discipline that Allah Almighty loves in those who act with patience and understanding.