For many Australian families, especially those from migrant backgrounds, grandparents live oceans away. But even with the distance, they can still play a powerful role in raising a bilingual child.
Co-reading with grandparents who live overseas isn't just possible—it's meaningful, bonding, and educational. Whether you speak the same language or not, shared storytelling builds emotional connection and encourages language exposure in real-life, relatable ways.
At Polyglot Tales, your children's language books store in Australia, we've seen families use books as a bridge across continents. Here's how you can do it too.
1. Schedule Weekly Storytime Calls
Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom to set up regular calls where grandparents read aloud to your child in their heritage language. Choose simple books that they can read and your child can follow visually.
Tip: Use the same book at home so your child can turn the pages along while the grandparent reads.
2. Ask Grandparents to Record Audio or Video Readings
Encourage grandparents to record themselves reading short stories, rhymes, or lullabies in their native language. These can be saved and played during bedtime, car rides, or even breakfast time!
Bonus: If you're using a device like a Yoto Player, you can upload grandparent recordings for your child to listen to anytime.
3. Share Books Ahead of Time
Send a copy of the same book to your child’s grandparents overseas (or vice versa). This creates a shared experience. Your child can even "read along" while grandma or grandpa flips the pages at the same time.
4. Let Grandparents Choose the Books
Ask them to pick their childhood favourites or traditional tales from your culture. This fosters storytelling authenticity and cultural pride. Even better, they may be able to explain phrases or idioms that aren't easily translated.
5. Make it a Two-Way Exchange
Let your child read simple English stories back to their grandparents. It becomes a language swap, strengthening communication and respect for each other's language journey.
6. Use Tech Creatively
In addition to Yoto, try:
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Voice message stories via WhatsApp
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Grandparents recording phrases for a language word wall
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A private family podcast for storytelling
Why It Works
Storytime is more than language practice—it's emotional bonding. Hearing a grandparent's voice in their heritage language creates familiarity, rhythm, and an emotional tie to culture.
In homes where parents may not speak the language fluently, this support is golden. It gives children regular exposure, cultural storytelling, and a powerful sense of connection across time zones.
From Our Bookshelf to Yours
At Polyglot Tales, we curate beautiful, culturally rich storybooks in Hindi, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese—perfect for grandparents to read, record, or share across the world.
Our books are chosen with families like yours in mind—designed to connect generations, grow language confidence, and make language learning joyful.