Did you know that this bedtime reading is an age-old tradition that is still popular with many parents today? And for good reason! Reading stories has numerous benefits for children and can contribute to a good night's sleep. In this blog, I will discuss some of the benefits of reading before bed and give you tips on how to best approach it.

Reading to children before they go to sleep has several benefits. First of all, it can contribute to a sense of safety and security in children. By reading stories, children can escape from the daily hustle and bustle for a while and concentrate on a story that they experience together with their parents/caregivers. This can help to reduce stress and tension and can contribute to a feeling of relaxation and calm.

Furthermore, reading stories can stimulate children's imagination. By listening to stories, children are stimulated to form their own images and to let their fantasy run wild. This can contribute to the development of creativity and imagination.

Finally, reading aloud can contribute to a good night's sleep. Many children enjoy being read to before bed because it helps them to relax. Reading aloud stories creates a relaxed atmosphere and makes it easier for children to surrender to sleep.

It is a good idea to make reading stories to children before bedtime part of a regular evening ritual. This way your child knows what is expected of him or her and reading becomes a predictable and relaxing activity. A regular ritual could consist of brushing teeth, putting on pajamas and reading a story.

Make sure the environment in which you are reading is calm and relaxing. This could be your child’s bedroom or another quiet room in the house. Make sure the room is suitably lit and that your child can sit or lie down comfortably. This way, your child can fully concentrate on the story being read.

Choose a book that matches your child’s age and interests. Younger children often enjoy picture books with short stories, while older children may prefer longer stories or chapter books. It’s also a good idea to alternate between different books to keep the reading varied and interesting.

Make the reading interactive by asking questions or asking your child what he or she thinks will happen in the story. This keeps your child actively involved in the story and can help to keep their attention.

It can be fun to use different voices for different characters in the story. This makes the story more lively and interesting for your child. Are you not comfortable using voices? No problem, nothing is required.

Take your time when reading and let your child enjoy the story at his or her own pace. This is especially important if your child is young and may not be able to sit still for long. Try to keep the reading relaxed and don't worry too much if your child moves around or asks questions every now and then.

End the reading with a calming activity, such as listening to soft music or chatting about the story or the day. This can help your child relax and fall asleep more easily.

Reading bedtime stories to children can help create a calm and relaxed atmosphere. It can help to end the day and it gives you as a parent/caregiver the opportunity to spend quality time with your child. It is therefore worthwhile to make reading bedtime stories part of your child's evening ritual.

In this blog, we’ve discussed some tips for parents on how to best read to their children before bedtime. By following these tips, parents can make reading to their children even more enjoyable and contribute to a good night’s sleep. Hopefully, this article will help you enjoy reading to your children more and build a bond that will last for years to come.

This is a guest blog from: Marley Praat