The Importance Of Reading A Bedtime Story For Children
In addition to being a good habit, the act of reading a bedtime story for children is a safe and stable routine. This timeless night ritual has several benefits for children.
Reading a bedtime story for children is one of the routines that we as parents incorporate almost automatically. Our children love this special moment and it makes us feel well connected to them. We create an intimate space to end a busy day.
It may surprise you to know that this simple gesture is one of the most important activities we can do for our children, especially between the ages of 2 and 4 years.
At that moment, we make the children feel safe despite all the fears they face. Reading a bedtime story to them is one of the best ways to do that.
Why is it a good habit to read a bedtime story?
A bedtime story is a good routine
Children need routines because they give them security and make them feel safe. They are getting to know the world and everything is constantly changing for them. Therefore, they can relax when they can anticipate what is coming next.
After playing, the bath comes, then they eat dinner, wash their hands and brush their teeth, a goodnight story and then it’s time to sleep. These rituals allow them to relax and sleep better.
They feel loved
The simple fact that you set aside exclusive time just for the two of you is very enriching and important for both of you. Therefore, it is important that you put away your phone and all other things you have going on while you are with the child.
Listening to your voice, feeling your closeness and observing the intonation you use in each part of the story, makes your child feel embraced, loved and important.
Without a doubt, reading goodnight stories is the best way to deal with the end of a day full of adventure.
It helps them process their experiences
Throughout the day, children face many situations that are completely new to them. Maybe they had an argument with one of their friends at school or they felt worried because they did not understand what their teacher was saying, among a hundred other possible situations.
Their little world grows every second and it is not always easy to assimilate or blend in. When they hear a fairy tale, they can see themselves reflected in it, identify some of their fears and insecurities, and learn different ways to face them by seeing what the main character did.
This means that it is also important to choose appropriate bedtime stories according to your child’s maturity.
Each child develops in a completely unique way and you must respect that. Choose stories that can convey clear and positive messages in an easy way.
It is not necessary for you to explain to the child what is happening. Trust it – it will absorb just the piece of the story it needs at that particular moment. This can even be therapeutic and in that case you should never force what they associate with their environment.
A cognitive enhancement
Although this moment is more connected to the emotional part and to relaxation, listening to a bedtime story will help children learn new words and expressions. It will also help them develop their language skills.
In addition, this will improve their attention span by learning to follow the thread of a story and understanding it from beginning to end, while training their imagination and inner world.
A goodnight story is relaxing
A good fairy tale is the perfect way to end the day. The children associate this moment with the time to go to bed and they begin to calm down naturally.
Choose a goodnight story with a happy ending. Make your voice melodic and soft. Try to dim the intensity of the lighting and always read to the child when he is lying in bed. All this helps to incorporate good sleeping habits.
Always the same story!
Do not be surprised if your child asks you to read the same bedtime story over and over again. As we have said before, children feel safe and secure when they can anticipate things and know what will happen.
Knowing all the words you will say helps the child to get all the thoughts in his head in order and process everything that happened during the day.
On the other hand, repetition is one of the ways we learn things. The child will discover something new every time you read the same story.
In the meantime, it will add new words to the memory, gain experience and relive the feelings it felt the first time it heard the story.
Do not forget to set boundaries
Our children must feel loved and protected. Boundaries are how they perceive that we love them and that we take care of them, because they still do not know what they need at every moment.
If you tell your child that you are only going to read a fairy tale, you should respect that agreement. In this way, you teach the child to keep his word and that he can trust that you will also keep your word.
