10/07/2026
Why does my child need so much help telling a story?
You might ask, “What happened at school today?” and get a quick “I don't know,” a few unrelated details, or need to ask several questions before you can piece together what happened.
This doesn't always mean your child doesn't remember.
Telling a story requires a lot of language skills. Children need to remember what happened, organize events in order, find the words they need, choose the important details, and explain everything clearly enough for someone else to follow.
For some children, that organization doesn't come naturally yet.
Instead of asking a broad question like, “Tell me about your day,” try giving your child a starting point:
“Who did you play with?”
“What happened first?”
“What happened next?”
These smaller prompts can make it easier for your child to organize their thoughts and communicate what they know.
If your child consistently struggles to tell stories, explain what happened, or organize their thoughts into words, a speech and language evaluation can help you understand what may be making communication difficult.
Storytelling is a skill, and like other language skills, it can be supported and developed over time.
🌈 Inside Out Speech & Language Therapy
📍 8700 Menchaca Rd Suites 105-106, Austin, TX
📞 512-733-9541
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.insideoutspeech.com