The importance of bedtime stories

The childhood tradition of a bedtime story is in danger of becoming a thing of the past. Language acquisition experts warn that parents are not making time to read to their children or they stop reading to them at too young an age and that it is detrimental to their reading journey. The bedtime story plays a major role in developing a love of reading in children and helps build an internal dictionary while giving reading an emotional depth, so why stop?

It is true that I Can Read results in a significant improvement in your child’s reading ability but it is still incredibly important for families to enjoy books and develop their reading skills together. For many children, their first experience of books is in the classroom – this should not be the case. Children are being taught to read before anyone has shared with them the pleasure of reading, this does not motivate students to become active readers.  Even students that attain high levels of literacy may achieve this without ever experiencing the point of reading.

Most children enjoy being read aloud to because it is special time with their parents. It seems parents generally stop this bonding activity around the age of nine. When asked, most children whose parents have stopped reading to them claim they wanted to carry on reading alone. Understandably, mums and dads are juggling work and home life but parents should endeavour to make time for the bedtime story.

Bedtime stories have long been known to foster parent-child bonds and prepare children for sleep. But this is just one benefit of the powers of the night time reading routine. Consider that while you and your little one are going on an adventure with “The Paper Bag Princess”, exploring “Where The Wild Things Are” or sampling “Green Eggs & Ham” with Dr.Suess, you are actually boosting your child’s brain development. Research shows that when parents interact verbally with children — which includes reading to them, they will learn a great deal more than we ever thought possible. These gains range from improved logic skills to lower stress levels. But perhaps the most profound benefit discovered in recent years is the way bedtime stories can rewire children’s brains to quicken their mastery of language. According to recent research there is a clear indication of an academic difference between children who regularly read with their parents and those who do not.

It is important that parents realise that along with their children attending I Can Read weekly it is essential they continue reading to their child at home.  At I Can Read we are passionate about preserving the bedtime story. It will make your child’s literacy journey a smoother one and give you a wonderful opportunity to bond. – So keep reading![:en]The childhood tradition of a bedtime story is in danger of becoming a thing of the past. Language acquisition experts warn that parents are not making time to read to their children or they stop reading to them at too young an age and that it is detrimental to their reading journey. The bedtime story plays a major role in developing a love of reading in children and helps build an internal dictionary while giving reading an emotional depth, so why stop?

It is true that I Can Read results in a significant improvement in your child’s reading ability but it is still incredibly important for families to enjoy books and develop their reading skills together. For many children, their first experience of books is in the classroom – this should not be the case. Children are being taught to read before anyone has shared with them the pleasure of reading, this does not motivate students to become active readers.  Even students that attain high levels of literacy may achieve this without ever experiencing the point of reading.

Most children enjoy being read aloud to because it is special time with their parents. It seems parents generally stop this bonding activity around the age of nine. When asked, most children whose parents have stopped reading to them claim they wanted to carry on reading alone. Understandably, mums and dads are juggling work and home life but parents should endeavour to make time for the bedtime story.

Bedtime stories have long been known to foster parent-child bonds and prepare children for sleep. But this is just one benefit of the powers of the night time reading routine. Consider that while you and your little one are going on an adventure with “The Paper Bag Princess”, exploring “Where The Wild Things Are” or sampling “Green Eggs & Ham” with Dr.Suess, you are actually boosting your child’s brain development. Research shows that when parents interact verbally with children — which includes reading to them, they will learn a great deal more than we ever thought possible. These gains range from improved logic skills to lower stress levels. But perhaps the most profound benefit discovered in recent years is the way bedtime stories can rewire children’s brains to quicken their mastery of language. According to recent research there is a clear indication of an academic difference between children who regularly read with their parents and those who do not.

It is important that parents realise that along with their children attending I Can Read weekly it is essential they continue reading to their child at home.  At I Can Read we are passionate about preserving the bedtime story. It will make your child’s literacy journey a smoother one and give you a wonderful opportunity to bond. – So keep reading!