Introduction

There's a reason this works when questions don't.

If your grandchild doesn't say much on FaceTime...and you find yourself filling the silence with questions...please know— that silence is natural, and it’s okay.

Many grandparents are surprised to discover that young children often open up more during storytime than during conversation. That’s because children don’t bond the way adults do.

They don’t connect through questions.They connect through shared imagination.

In this video, I explain:

✅Why questions can feel like pressure for young children

✅ How storytime creates connection — even when there’s silence or silliness

✅ Why giggles, wiggles, and short attention spans are just part of the experience

✅ How storytime gives grandparents and grandchildren a shared place to meet, even from a distance

If you’re a long-distance grandparent — or a grandparent who simply wants storytime to feel easier and more meaningful — this video is for you.

📘 FREE GUIDE:

Storytime Shortcut — 5 Secrets to Have Your Grandkids Begging for More (Even Over Zoom)

👉 Download here: https://tammykersey.com/shortcut-landing

If this video encouraged you, I hope you'll like and subscribe for:

• Grandparent support

• Ideas for connecting with your grandkids

• Gentle guidance for virtual storytime

• Stories that bring generations together

And if you know another grandparent who could use a little reassurance, I hope you’ll share this with them.

💛 Every moment you spend with your grandchild matters more than you think.

New here? I’m Tammy — a children’s picture book author and virtual Grammy sharing what I’m learning about storytime, connection, and long-distance grandparenting. I hope you’ll connect with me!

Video

Why Your Grandchild Opens Up More During Storytime Than Conversation

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👉 Grab your FREE guide The Storytime Shortcut! 5 Secrets to Have Your Grandkids Begging for More–Even Over Zoom! right here! And don’t forget to share this video with another grandparent who could use some fresh inspiration.

🎥 Video Transcript

INTRODUCTION

If your grandchild doesn’t say much when you talk on FaceTime…
and you find yourself trying to fill the silence with questions…
Please know,
The silence is natural, and it’s okay.”

On the other hand, there’s a reason so many grandparents say their grandchild opens up more during storytime than during conversation—and it has nothing to do with how good you are at asking questions.

THE KEY INSIGHT

Here’s the part most adults don’t know:
Young children don’t bond through questions. They don’t have that same need to talk things through and analyze the way many of us do as adults. They’re still learning about the world and learning to navigate basic emotions.

Where they REALLY bond and LEARN is through shared imagination.

When we ask questions, some kids feel like they’re being put on the spot. When we step into a story together, they get to relax and just be.

Storytime gives your grandchild something to share with you, in the moment—
instead of something they need to tell you about that happened in the past and, for them, isn’t nearly as interesting as the present moment you’re both in. So take advantage of that.

CONTRAST EXAMPLE: STORYTIME vs. Q&A

As long-distance grandparents, we feel that we miss so much of their lives, we’re anxious to know and ask about what they’ve been doing.

So, we’ll say,
‘How was school?’
‘What did you do today?’
And we get one-word answers… or silence.

But then you open a book together…
and suddenly there are giggles.
Little comments.
Sound effects.
Or quiet listening that feels completely different.

Nothing about the child changed.
The experience changed.

Honestly, do you remember the last time your grandchild asked you to sit down and tell them about your day? I bet you do remember them asking you to read a story, welcoming you into their world and a pretend world that they particularly enjoy because they want you to share it with you.

READING MOMENT

Humor me for a minute. Allow yourself to go back a few years and I’ll show you what I mean.

< Short reading from Golly-Oodle-Lolly!: One Fine Day with a Rascally Pup >

Just think about how you felt for that short time.

A release from the every day.

No questions.
No pressure.
Just shared imagination.

EACH CHILD EXPERIENCES DIFFERENTLY

Even in storytimes, all kids are different and they experience things differently. As grandparents, we need to be able to adjust to their reactions in these shared moments to maximize the impact of our time together–even if it’s virtual.

Silence during storytime is normal. They’re processing & taking it all in.
Hilarity and silliness are normal. They’re totally enjoying the experience.
Short attention spans are normal. They’re being kids.

Connection with our grandchildren doesn’t always sound like conversation.
Sometimes it sounds like turning pages and rhyming stories.
Sometimes it looks wiggly and silly.
Sometimes the impact of seemingly insignificant moments shows up later—after the call ends.

And all of it counts.

YOU DON'T NEED TO DO MORE

You don’t need better questions.
You don’t need to perform.
You don’t need to keep them talking through the silence.

You just need a shared story.” And then see where it goes. Together.

SOLUTION + CLOSING

If you’re a long-distance grandparent, or are fortunate to live close to your grandkids, please know I’m on this journey with you, learning & sharing my best ideas and experiences.

If you’d like a simple way to make storytime feel easier and more natural—especially from a distance—I created a free guide called the Storytime Shortcut–5 Secrets to Have your Grandkids Begging for More, Even Over Zoom.

It helps you stop guessing and start enjoying the moments that actually build connection.

You can find a link below.

If this has been helpful, I hope you will like and subscribe to my channel for more grandparent support, ideas for connecting with your grandkids, and more stories. And if you know another grandparent who could use a little inspiration, I hope you’ll share this with them.

And remember—no matter how quiet or chaotic it may seem, every moment you spend with your grandchild is making a difference. You’re already doing more than you think. Bye for now!

Here's the link to the free resource: https://tammykersey.com/shortcut-landing