Open Mic Wednesday - bedtime reading for kids - an info wrap

I have a wonderful guest post today from "The Tuck Sleep Foundation" 

Learn  more about Tuck Sleep at :

https://www.tuck.com

The Tuck Sleep Foundation is a non-profit community devoted to improving sleep hygiene, health and wellness through the creation of dissemination of comprehensive unbiased and free web-based resources. Tuck has been featured in NPR, Lifehacker, Radiolab and is referenced by many colleges/universities and sleep organizations across the web.

Bedtime Reading for Children

LAST UPDATED ON APRIL 26, 2017 - Part 1

Bedtime stories play an important role in your child’s development. Not only do bedtime stories create an opportunity for parents to bond with their kids, but reading to a little one at the same time night after night can help them establish a healthy sleep routine. Child psychologists also point to the cognitive benefits for young people who are raised with bedtime stories, including higher-than-average literacy rates and an emotional connection to reading.  

This guide to bedtime stories will include some of the most cherished bedtime stories available for children today; our list will include printed books you can request from your local library or order from web-based retailers, as well as some beloved favorites that are available in user-friendly online versions. But first, let’s look at some expert tips for effective bedtime story reading.

Tips for Parents

No child is too young for a bedtime story. Many experts encourage parents to begin reading to their children while they are newborns, and continue throughout their childhood; the 2016 Time to Read Survey noted that bedtime reading can benefit children as old as 11 years of age. Regardless of how old your child is, age-appropriate reading material is crucial. Readings for toddlers and preschoolers should utilize a fairly straightforward vocabulary, and also include pictures or illustrations. As your child advances into elementary school and begins learning to read, chapter books may be more effective.

Here are a few more tips for parents who plan to read bedtime stories to their kids:

Read slowly. This is especially important for young listeners and children who have not yet learned to read. If the story contains words the child doesn’t know, take a minute during the initial readings and explain the definitions.

Involve your child in the reading. Swap out character names for your children’s names and allow them to be part of the story. Draw parallels between your child’s life and the world of the story in order to drive home important messages.

Be dramatic. Emphasize emotional moments by reading them in an appropriate tone, and use distinct voices for different characters. This will enhance your child’s personal involvement in the story, and enhance their imagination.

Clearly define the characters’ roles. To help your child develop a sense of right and wrong, you should make sure they understand the difference(s) between the heroes and the villains of each story.

Read each story more than once. Your child probably won’t grasp everything about a story during the first bedtime session, so read it more than once — if possible, on consecutive nights.

Don’t read the same story too often. Your child will most likely favor certain stories to others, but avoid reading the same volume night after night for long periods of time. After a few readings, their imaginative connection to the story will begin to diminish. If your child insists on hearing an old favorite for the twentieth time, then suggest reading something new that night and then switching back to the preferred story the next night.

Don’t be afraid to improvise. Rather than reading from a book, you can make up a story that allows your child to be more involved — and even dictate the narrative a bit. Parenting.com offers a list of effective ‘story starters’ for bedtime ad-libbers.

Every parents wish is to have their child become an avid lifelong reader.  It is important that children not only learn the skill of reading but the love of reading.  By spending time each night with your child (children) tucked under your arm and an interesting book you can do so much to make that wish come true for both you and your child.  

Reading together builds a special bond between the reader and who is being read to.  It seems the whole world comes to a standstill while you are cuddled up together enjoying a great story.  It enriches vocabulary and gives children an advantage at school and in their world.

  "A child who is read to will want to learn to read himself." Modelling reading really works.  Reading to a child boosts his self esteem and communication skills. It also pulls him away from a busy day, off of multiple screens that seem to dominate everywhere and into a quiet space of peace where he can focus and imagine.  It's a loving, cozy way to end a busy day that creates calm and happiness... a precursor to a good night's sleep for sure. 

Other Links you must check out:

https://www.tuck.com/best-bedtime-stories/

https://www.tuck.com/parents-guide-healthy-sleep/

https://www.tuck.com/sleep-better/

Illustrations taken from:  "Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed" (A Five Little Monkeys Story) Board book

       - Authored by Eileen Christelow

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