You’ve probably tried putting your child to sleep without a good bedtime story. It’s like herding cat. Chaos reigns and sleep is impossible to find. Magic happens the minute you start spinning. As the eyes widen, imaginations begin to ignite, and they drift off into dreamland, you’ll be surprised.
Remember the nights that your parents read to you and then tucked in your favorite book at night? There was a certain magic in those moments. Perhaps it was their soothing voice or how they brought the characters to life. The tradition of reading bedtime stories to children is a long-standing one that goes beyond just getting them to sleep.
Consider little Timmy. He is five years old, and his imagination rivals any blockbuster film. His favorite story? “The Adventures of Captain Starbeam.” Every night, he insists to hear about Captain Starbeam’s adventures across galaxies. What’s this? Timmy will be snuggled with his teddy, eyes closed, by the time Starbeam rescues him (again).
The bedtime story is not only about stories of adventure or fantasy lands. It’s also a way to bond with your child. Imagine you’ve been at work all day and your brain is like mush. As soon as you hold your child’s favorite book, the stress begins to melt. You and your child are taken to a different world, where heroes win and dragons fly.
Not only parents, but also children can benefit from these rituals. The stories are so educational for children! Vocabulary grows faster than balloons at a party. Moral lessons are learned without being preached at – who wouldn’t like to learn kindness or bravery from an adorable mouse, or from a talking bunny?
Let’s discuss creativity! In a child’s imagination, a story can transform even the simplest object into an extraordinary thing. An old shoe transforms into Cinderella’s glass slipper, and an empty box becomes a ship that sails through treacherous oceans.
Have I ever told you about my nephew Jake, the pirate? One night, he decided to be Pirate Jake and not just plain Jake-from next-door. We were both engrossed in his tales of swashbuckling adventure, and he was clutching his toy blade like it was Excalibur. What about the morning light? Jake was back to normal… until bedtime came around again.
You shouldn’t assume that bedtime tales are only for children. Adults also need bedtime stories (perhaps without talking animals). You might have tried listening an audiobook to before you go to sleep. It is a wonderful way to wind down! There is something soothing about having an adult read to you, especially if Stephen Fry is narrating Harry Potter. Or Neil Gaiman is weaving one of Neil Gaiman’s darkly magical stories.
I’ll share one more gem with you: a variety of activities keeps everyone interested! The classic fairytales might be the theme one night; silly poems from Shel Silverstein, or tongue-twisting Dr Seuss rhymes could take place another.
The next time you tuck someone into bed (or even yourself), don’t forget this little nugget. A good story will turn bedtime in to an adventure you look forward to every night.
Grab those bookcase treasures, because tonight promises a new fantastical journey in which anything is possible… including flying pigs dressed in tutus.
Sleep tight & sweet dreams!