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The Magic of Bedtime Stories on Children

Bedtime stories have been impacting children since time immemorial. They have been instrumental partly in shaping an individual’s personality and skill set. If you look back at your own childhood, you may be able to recall your parents or grandparents telling you stories at bedtime.  

We would say that bedtime stories impact your child in many ways. One of them is communication skills. The others could be developing a healthy relationship with your child, reducing stress and more. So, wouldn’t you love it if your child could benefit from the same if done regularly? We’re sure you would have got the answer by now.

What are the ideal bedtime stories for children?

The answer to this question varies from child to child or more appropriately age wise. Children of different ages understand stories according to their respective cognition levels. Fables, classic fairy tales, and myths remain the favourites. You could also read them books on friendship, kindness and cooperation. 

Apart from the various benefits, it can help your child wind down to sleep. 

Benefits of reading bedtime stories to children

Strengthens vocabulary: Reading exposes your child to a wide range of vocabulary. A study known as the ‘million-word gap’ says that a vast difference exists between those children who hear bedtime stories and those who don’t.

Enhances creativity: As stories reflect creativity, they activate your child’s creative streak in thinking and imagining the characters and elements present in the story read to them.

Enhancing reading and writing skills: Reading bedtime stories inspires your child to follow you, and hence, they slowly start reading themselves. Listening to bedtime stories can also help build your child’s creativity. Hence, as they listen to various stories, they build up a repository of ideas which they can use in various writing tasks. 

Literacy capabilities: Regular listening can help build in your child excellent reading capabilities such as phonics, comprehension and phonemic awareness.

Building the parent-child bond: Bedtime stories present an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your child intimately by reading, enacting, and even analysing together. 

Sense of safety and comfort: Your child will feel comfortable as they go to sleep listening to a bedtime story. 

Healthy sleep routine: It helps your child relax naturally and wind down to sleep. Thus, it helps in promoting better sleep, too.

How to tell a bedtime story

Choose a story that suits your child’s age, interest and attention span.

Create a comfortable environment such as by dimming lights, switching off TV, etc.

Use unique facial expressions and voices to bring the story to life.

Encourage questions about the story and enjoy it along with your child.

Criteria for good bedtime stories

Language and content should suit age.

The characters should be attractive and exciting for your child to engage with.

The story should have a simple plot that piques your child’s attention.

The story should be calming and joyful so that your child can sleep peacefully.

Therefore, bedtime stories impact your child in ways beyond expectations. A little patience and you’re all set. 

JGS, Kokapet is an international school in Kokapet, Hyderabad. We understand that your child’s future matters, and hence, we invite you to visit our campus or know more through our website.

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