Getting cozy next to your little ones at bedtime and reading them a story is a great way to prepare them for sleeping, but there are tons of other benefits, too.
Creating a nighttime ritual with your child not only strengthens parent-child bonds and creates a calming routine that allows them to relax and sleep better, but it also boosts their language and literacy skills and improves their cognitive development. That cute little bedtime story offers comfort while boosting vocabulary and comprehension, as well as imagination and critical thinking.
By reading to your child at bedtime, you are:
- Boosting your child’s creativity and narrative understanding.
- Improving their literacy by building vocabulary, introducing complex sentence structures and improving listening skills.
- Strengthening your connection to them through cuddling and creating a safe environment for them to drift asleep.
- Promoting their emotional intelligence by recognizing and processing feelings through characters’ experiences.
- Building empathy and transmitting values. Bedtime stories allow children to see the world from different perspectives and learn important life lessons.
- Nighttime reading also improves your child’s sleep quality and alleviates stress. Your soothing voice signals the end of the day and a transition to sleep.
While these are all benefits for your child, your reading style will also create a wonderful and engaging atmosphere. Here are some tips to perfect the art of the bedtime story:
- Let your child choose the story; this gives them a sense of control and excitement about their story time routine.
- Ask interactive questions. This will keep them involved with the story.
- Let them turn the pages or help with presenting the story. If they're older, they can do a character's voice.
- Use bedtime stories to bring out your inner actor! Be expressive and dramatic, while using different tones in your voice. This helps your child visualize the story.
- Read slowly and use pauses; this helps younger children follow along and anticipate the ending.
- Keep it brief. A longer story might make your child restless.
- End on a calm note. Discuss the story with a cuddle, reinforcing the warmth and safety you want your child to have in order to better drift off to sleep.
You will find many fantastic easy fiction picture books at your favorite BCLS library branch; ask a librarian for a recommendation. Good night and sleep tight!
