15min Non-Tech Challenge

When I’m researching post ideas I mainly look for Educational tools that are Tech related, but when I came across Creative Story Stones I thought they looked like a great non-tech learning tool to add to my children at home learning tools. What stood out to me was the creator of Creative Story Stones Aussie mum Janelle Martin’s reason behind why she created the stones which you can read in the recent media release below.

Improved Literacy and Creativity Starts With Stones At Home

With Australia not even ranking on the World’s Most Literate Nations, the Sunshine Coast creator of literacy tools believes it is time the country went back to basics.

Janelle Martin, founder of Creative Story Stones, said despite recent NAPLAN results show a slight improvement in the overall literacy rates of Australia children, there is still a long way to go until the gaps are filled.

“We rely on schools to be everything to our children but the most important step in improving overall literacy is to begin when the children are little and at home,” she said.

As parents, we have the biggest influencers over our children’s development – language, social and emotional.

“Yes, we are all busy trying to make ends meet and get by, but unless we stop for even just 15 minutes every night to interact with our kids to help them with reading and language, we are going to fall further and further behind.”

The World’s Most Literate Nations ranks nations on their “literate behaviours and their supporting resources”. It set out to look at data from 200 countries, drawing from sources ranging from Unesco to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Janelle said studies have shown children who get the most help at home, before starting school, have a positive impact on their schooling.

“Then we have to take it one step further … to spark their imagination and creativity. So much of our children’s time is spent engaged with a screen. They are losing the ability to build their own stories; they are so stuck in others,” she said.

“Fairy tales and other children’s books are a wonderful way to get caught up in a story. But I want to see more kids creating their own stories.”

Like all true problem solvers, Janelle creator her own solution.

“I made Creative Story Stones for my eldest son Hunter to encourage him away from the screen,” Janelle said.

“With 20 stones with different pictures on each, we have a great time crating different adventures. While he is having fun, I know he is tapping into his sensory play and learning.

“Teachers also tell us they can assist with recognition and language development.”

Janelle said learning support at home has such a positive impact on a child’s development. “If I can give my children the best start before they get to school, it makes learning easier, more fun and less of a stress,” she said.

“I am the most powerful force in my three children’s lives before they enter the educational system. I am seeing the impact of the Creative Story Stones on my children and others. Why wouldn’t you give them a head start?”

The main quote that stood out to me was:

Ability to make their own stores: they are so stuck in others! YES, as a tech loving mum this make perfect sense to me. Educational tools are important for learning outcomes especially in the early years at home. Apps make things so much easier but it’s important to get involved with your child's learning to encourage them to use their own imagination.

Apps are a great tool that makes learning fun and interactive but I am guilty of this: setting my child up with the game or app for them to do it on their own. So I’m not actually checking if the app is too hard or too easy for my child’s learning ability. I will be adding 15mins a day to sit with my children to use a non-tech learning tool together as a family.

This week I challenge all my readers to spend 15mins a day with a learning tool that isn’t tech, this can be sight cards, sensory toys, a board game or even better the Creative Story stones.

Creative Story Stones are an excellent learning tool for ages 3 and up that:

Provide playful learning
Foster creativity and imagination
Increase vocabulary
Great for developing oral and listening skills
Assist in language and thinking skill development
Excellent for pre-literacy skills

Children use the stones to tell their own story, they can be used with one child or a group to create a story together.

Creative Story Stones are made of resin, with the images created by Janelle sealed beneath a clear resin finish. The resin is non-toxic once cured and also means the stones are lightweight and safer for small children to play with. Contain 20 different stones, with new packs hopefully available soon to expand your children's story telling.

Creative Story Stones are $25 per pack and come in a drawstring bag. For more information, visit www.creativestorystones.com.au

Creative story Stones currently have a giveaway on their Facebook page so be sure to visit and enter

Keep me updated on the 15min challenge on Facebook