Why Kids Love Bedtime Stories
Reading bedtime stories to kids is a tradition that has been passed down over the years from generation to generation. It is a great way for families to bond together as they end the day by snuggling in bed and reading together just before they go to sleep. Unfortunately, with easy access to smartphones, tabs, video games and so on, the art of bedtime stories seems to be disappearing fast. In fact, recent studies show that only 64% of families with kids below seven years read to their children at bedtime. In most cases, parents are too stressed out or too tired by the end of the day to read to their children.
Although technology is a wonderful thing, it is sad to note that it is taking away one of the best traditions that families used to have. Let’s take a look at some of the several benefits offered by reading bedtime stories:
Sets routine: Children tend to thrive in a set routine. Reading bedtime stories can be a part of their bedtime routine each night. This will help them calm down and help them sleep better at night. It also lets kids know that it is time to sleep and settle down faster at bedtime.
Improves vocabulary: Reading is the best way to help your children improve their vocabulary. By reading together each night, you can pick out different words and offer your kids the opportunity to learn new words and hear how they are pronounced as well.
Overcome challenges: Children are often faced with different challenges while growing. Stories about animals can help kids overcome these challenges. Interestingly, reading stories about kids in similar situations can also help children find a way to face challenges.
Good habits: Reading helps children learn better habits and practice them in their daily life as well. Laura Holman Byrne wrote Mr. Tater Tot (https://mrtatertot.com/) to help children learn important life lessons. So if you want to raise an all-rounded person, it is a good idea to read bedtime stories to them each night.
Increases imagination: A child’s imagination needs stimulation to help it expand further. Bedtime stories work as the best fodder as it helps children dream, imagine and even predict what is coming next.
Improves memory: By hearing stories, again and again, each night, kids are able to retain new words faster. After hearing the same story several times, they often remember the story and know what is coming next.
Stronger bonding: Reading bedtime stories each night helps kids bond better with their parents. This strong bond will last for an entire lifetime.
Improves literacy skills: Reading bedtime stories is a great way to help improve your child’s literacy skills at a faster rate. They are able to pick up new words faster and how to use them as well.
At the end of the day, it is important to read bedtime stories to your children every night to help them fall in love with reading and expand their minds with the endless possibilities that their imagination offers them.