Every child wants a comforting bedtime routine that helps them drift off to a peaceful sleep. One way to establish a soothing environment is through the use of songs and stories. Read on for an exploration into how children’s storybooks can be used to create a calming atmosphere before going to sleep.
Benefits of Reading Before Bed
Reading with your children before bed provides many benefits, including:
- Establishing an enjoyable routine – By having a regular bedtime routine in place, you are helping your child get into a healthy sleeping pattern and setting them up for success.
- Creating quality family time – Taking the time out of your day to read together will provide an opportunity for connection with your little one.
- Building language skills – Reading books aloud can help develop vocabulary and communication skills, essential life tools for children in all stages of development.
How to Choose the Right Book
When selecting stories for bedtime, think about what themes or topics interest your child. Are they drawn more towards animal stories? Adventure tales? Funny tales? Once you have identified their preferences, look for books within that genre that also have calming messages and help promote relaxation. Here are some other factors to keep in mind when picking out the perfect read-aloud book:
- Length – If you are aiming for an ‘express’ read-aloud session right before dozing off, then choose books with short chapters or episodes so as not to tire out both yourself and the reader during story-telling time!
- Illustrations – For younger children particularly, illustrations can be extremely helpful in keeping their attention throughout the story as well as providing clues about the plotline.
- Repetition – Rhyming words, repetition of words/phrases from earlier pages can help ensure that your child grasps important elements of the narrative without getting bored from hearing too much new information each time you open up the book.
Types of Books To Try At Bedtime
There are numerous types of stories available specifically designed for sleepy readers – here are some favorites to try:
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Fiction – Fictional tales such as fairy tales or classic novels offer both suspenseful entertainment as well imaginative play opportunities enhanced by close parental guidance during read-alouds (which opens up further teaching moments!)
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Non–fiction – Expose children to factual information through illustrated encyclopedias or art books which showcase real–life objects and locations with intriguing pictures; perhaps even include short musical scores rendered on piano which mimic similar styles found in museums or libraries!
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Poetry – A great way to introduce rhythm and music into reading sessions; poetry often features fewer words per page than prose but still offers enough material for engaging discussions afterwards if desired…
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Music compositions – Musical scores featuring classical composers have been known to instill feelings of peace-of-mind within young listeners during nighttime rituals; playing gentle tunes either live (on piano) or via playback device usually does wonders when it comes time for sleeping!
It All Comes Down To…
Ultimately, successful bedtime routines come down to understanding what works best for each individual child as everyone responds differently depending on age/developmental level/personal interests etc… By taking these tips into consideration when selecting soothing songs & stories (as well as incorporating elements from non–traditional sources like music albums), parents should find themselves quickly progressing towards creating dreamy atmospheres conducive towards pleasant dreams!
