Bedtime stories have the power to settle children in for a night of sleep and create warm memories at the same time.
A great bedtime story might have magical book quotes or a great ending, maybe even some make-believe in there, or a strong message. Whether it’s one of your best books for toddlers or best books for kids bedtime stories are important for setting the scene.
Sarah Patel, baby and toddler Sleep Expert tells us; "Saying goodnight is a period of separation and one many children can find difficult, which is why reading stories with them before they go to sleep can be a really good idea. It can help bridge the gap between the onset of sleep and saying goodbye for the night.
She adds; "Plus, reading stories together allows quality connection time before they go to sleep and helps to calm their minds which means they're more likely to have a good night's sleep."
Fair warning, your child might like the same bedtime books on repeat, you are not alone in this. Frustrating for the parent? Very. Hugely beneficial for the child? Very. A study in 2011 discovered that when children were read the same book many times, they remembered and understood the meaning of a new word, so it is worth it, we promise.
Bedtime stories
Babies (birth to 12 months)
Bedtime stories before your baby turns one may seem pointless but studies show that reading to your baby from birth is a valuable exercise, for you and them. It helps to create a bond and teaches communication. Regular reading means that by the time babies reach their first birthday they’ll have all the sounds needed to speak.
Worth noting that, at this early age, as long as it's read in calming and neutral tones, even reading from your own book aloud is useful.
Toddlers (one to three year olds)
At this age their imagination is just incredible, full of magic and fantasy. Parts of their world are starting to make some sense, and you can see this in their confidence. As bedtime stories go, for toddlers, it's all about repetition and rhyming patterns. This fabulous duo helps them learn and practice the sounds that make up their language.
Kids (three to 11 year olds)
This age range is where you can really support and instil a love of books within your children. Bedtime stories become less about simple sounds and repetition instead there are more characters and more detailed plot lines. This can really help you and your youngster to bond, encouraging using different voices and helping them to recognise words and sentences, at the same time as having fun.
What makes great bedtime stories?
Just like music, some books are more calming than others. The best ones lull your child into winding down to prepare them for bedtime; switching to the slow-racing thoughts, and helping little minds and bodies adjust to the transition of a quiet night. Here’s what you need to look out for;
Main talking point
A book focusing on bedtime makes for the most effective bedtime stories. Some of the best bedtime stories talk about the world outside slowing down and preparing for nighttime, or books that talk about the wonder of dreams. They may even be books that simply talk about bedtime routines. Books that help remind children what bedtime is like and help them mentally prepare. It’s helpful especially for young children, such as toddlers, to read books about bedtime routines like brushing teeth and goodnight kisses to help them get in the right frame of mind so they know what to expect. On the flip side, any book that is soothing and calming can work as a great bedtime story. As long as the colour palette and rhythm of the book are soothing it makes it a wonderful bedtime book.
Colour scheme
Nighttime is dark, the colours of the world muted until sunrise. For a book to be effective with sleepy vibes, shades of blue and black should prevail. These colours can add to a calming atmosphere in preparation for sleep. Other colour palettes with pastels can work great and be just as effective. The light and airy feel can be just as effective as heavy dark colour palettes.
Rhythm & beat
For bedtime stories, books with a rambling soft rhythm are relaxing and suggest there is no rush. Swaying rhythms can transform books into magical lullabies that essentially rock your child to sleep. The best way to find out if a rhythm is right for a bedtime story is to just read it out loud. You’ll find the rhythm there.
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