Imagine turning the key to a magical world every night, where dragons soar and mermaids sing — all from the cozy corner of your child’s bedroom. This is the enchanting power of bedtime stories, a cherished ritual that does more than just usher children into dreamland.
It’s a special time that fosters a deep connection between you and your little one, sparking their imagination and nurturing a lifelong love for reading.
Diving into stories together opens up a realm where anything is possible, encouraging kids to dream big and explore the endless boundaries of their creativity. These tales are not just mere entertainment; they’re woven with lessons of courage, kindness, and curiosity.
Think of each story as a gentle nudge helping your child to navigate the world’s wonders and woes with empathy and resilience.
But the benefits of these nighttime narratives go beyond the pages. Studies have shown that engaging in storytelling boosts language skills, enriching your child’s vocabulary and comprehension in a fun, effortless way. It’s like a workout for the brain, but with all the fun of an adventure.
1. Strengthens parent-child bond
Reading with your child at night gives you a chance to cuddle up with them and bond for a minute. It might seem like a simple gesture, but its sure to stick with your child for a lifetime.
2. Builds your child’s language
Books are filled with words and language that differs from their everyday lives. Books help to build a child’s vocabulary and models speech.
3. Develops child cognitive and logical skills
Books help children learn how to read left to right. Also, reading the same book multiple times helps children to learn to predict future outcomes. Over time children will learn to make predictions about books they have read for before. Another benefit of reading is that it helps develop problem solving skills. Reading models how to solve problems and helps children learn empathy. By asking questions like “how would that make you feel,” helps children relate to the character and reflect on their own feelings.
4. Improves child future academic success
Reading is the first step to word recognition and writing skills. These skills will carry on though your child’s life. Reading to your child every night also develops routine and helps prepare children for school. While reading to your child every night has its benefits, take time to read to your child whenever you get the chance. Simple actions like reading signs in the store or in the car can have some of the same benefits and help your child learn about the world around them.
5 Book recommendations to read to your child at bedtime.
1. Guess How Much I Love You – Sam McBratley & Anita Jeram
This is the first book I ever bought for our little library, and it has a special place in our hearts. It is a sweet story of Little Nutbrown Hare and his father, Big Nutbrown Hare. The little hare asks his dad, “Guess how much I love you?” and it is a tender competition of who loves each other more: “I love you this wide!” “I love you this high!” “I love you that far!”. A charming story with gorgeous illustrations. “I love you to the moon… and back.”
2. If Animals Kissed Good Night – Ann Withford Paul & David Walker
It is a lovely story of animals and their babies kissing good night to each other in their own sweet ways. The peacocks would dance, the pythons would twirl and twist, the wolves would kiss and howl, and the bears would kiss and growl. Adorable.
3. Night Night Farm – Roger Priddy
A charming short and rhyming story about all the farm animals going to sleep. This board book is a lovely way to show your toddler how to go from awake to asleep, filled with adorable illustrations and with lift-the-flaps. I think it is ideal for 1 and 2-year-olds.
4. Goodnight, Numbers – Danica McKellar & Alicia Padrón
This is a sweet book that sneaks counting concepts from 1 to 10. We say goodnight to objects around the house – three wheels on the tricycle, five-pointed star – and hopefully make them sleepy while loving numbers.
5. Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown & Clement Hurd
This book is a classic. If you read it as a child, it will bring sweet memories, and you’ll probably know it by heart. However, it had not been read to me as a child, and when I saw it was a bestseller at the bookshop, I didn’t understand why it was so beloved – it looked outdated to me. But then I came across this reading by Susan Sarandon on Youtube, and my perception changed. With her soothing voice and rhythm, I now understand why it is a favorite bedtime book in many households.