6 Ways Reading Bedtime Stories Can Benefit Your Child

One of the best ways to bond with your child is through sharing bedtime stories each night. In addition to providing a soothing routine that will help your child drift off into dreamland, reading stories together at bedtime offers an excellent opportunity for parents and kids to bond, in addition to several other significant advantages. 

Reading bedtime stories can help increase your child's vocabulary and enrich his or her developing reading skills, which will also give your child an advantage in school. Reading together is also an activity that fosters kids' imaginations and sense of creativity. If you haven't incorporated bedtime stories into your child's nightly routine, now is the best time to start, and here are a few reasons why. 

Reading bedtime stories cultivates children's imaginations

We live in a time when many children are exposed to an array of information, and even forms of education, through various types of technology. They absorb information from mobile phones, the internet, television, and other electronic devices. While these powerful tools are helpful for learning, some also limit the opportunities children have to tap into their imaginations. This is why reading bedtime stories is so beneficial. 

Reading bedtime stories together is a great way to nurture your child's growing imagination. When we read stories to our little ones, they can create images in their minds as they imagine the characters and scenarios in each story. 

Reading together strengthens the bond between parents and their children

As parents, one of our top priorities is spending adequate quality time with our kids. One of the best ways to connect with youngsters is through storytelling. An exciting or thought-provoking story can provide more than just entertainment. It's also an opportunity for you and your child to share experiences, learn from each other, grow together, and bond in new ways!

It inspires a child's love for reading

Being an avid reader alone may not guarantee one’s future success, but reading is an important habit that can result in one’s overall success and fulfillment. Therefore, if you want to spark your child's love for books, bedtime stories are an excellent place to start. 

Make sure you set aside time to read bedtime stories together as a regular part of your child's nightly routine. Kids of all ages can enjoy this activity before drifting off to sleep while snuggled under a warm blanket with you. Let your child pick out which book he or she would like to read each night. Before you know it, your little one will be carving out time to read independently. 

Reading stories enriches your child's development

Your child is never too young to listen to bedtime stories. Parents who read to their children are helping the development of their children's brains more than they may even realize. Over the years, studies have shown that sharing reading time with one’s parents has long-term positive effects on a child’s developing brain, strengthens communication skills, and boosts vocabulary levels. 

Reading enhances your child's language and communication skills

Another notable benefit of reading bedtime stories with your little one is that it can significantly improve your child's language and communication skills. Reading stories helps build children's listening skills, as they follow the sequence of events, pay attention to the different characters, and so on. 

Furthermore, enjoying bedtime stories together each night provides an excellent opportunity to engage in conversations with your little one. You can make the experience more interactive by asking questions throughout the story. You may ask your child questions derived from the story or discuss how the story relates to their life. Ensure your little one knows that there are no "right" answers as you encourage open discussion. This way, they will feel more comfortable speaking out their thoughts. 

Reading stories instills new knowledge

Did you know that your child can gain new knowledge by listening to bedtime stories? Learning happens in various ways. Reading together can help expand your child’s bank of knowledge on an extensive range of topics. Even if you're reading fiction books, they still serve as powerful educational tools for your child's learning. 

Reading bedtime stories is an activity that young kids find fun and exciting. Making it a part of your child's nighttime routine can be incredibly beneficial to their development. If you haven't invested time reading together with your little one each night, now is a great time to start. 

If you reside in Southeast Wisconsin, we at Mrs. Myers' Reading Room help you raise successful and confident learners, regardless of their current reading level. Click here to learn more about our programs.