Do you remember your parents reading to you before bed? What about spending time in the evening immersing yourself in a good book?
If you were born before the noughties, your answer is probably ‘yes’. But if you were born any later than that, the chances are you won’t remember being read a bedtime story at all. This is because recent surveys have uncovered a decline in the number of parents who are reading to their kids before bed, with only one in four parents reading aloud to their child as part of an evening routine.
Many parents put this down to a lack of time or busy schedules, while some say that their child simply prefers visual activities in the evening, which is in no way a bad thing; every child learns differently after all. But it is important to remember that reading plays a huge part in their overall development, and it has also been proven to make both adults and children more empathic and better at recognising emotions.
With it being National Storytelling Week, we believe that there’s no better time to start reading again, and that goes for both you and your child! We’ve also posted a blog that’s all about telling the best bedtime stories, so don’t forget to check it out if you’re in need of some inspiration.
If your child finds reading difficult or they prefer visual forms of learning, we understand why you may choose to let them play with the iPad before bed. But in the spirit of taking things back to basics, how about creating a bedtime story that’s just for them? Either that or you can encourage your child to get involved by making sound effects or voicing characters – they may find this form of storytelling much more engaging than simply reading straight from a book.
If like most people you find it difficult to make time for reading in the evening, which, let’s face it, is made even more difficult by a manic bedtime routine, try to find time during the day to prepare for things like baths and dinnertime so that everyone is less worn out when it comes to actually getting into bed – parents included!
Ultimately, the thought of a bedtime story needn’t bring on a headache – it should be something for the whole family to enjoy! It’s also important to remember that the stories don’t have to be hours long either; short stories filled with mystery and wonder are much more beneficial than long-winded tales that have your child reaching for the tech!
