Children nowadays are surrounded by various sources of entertainment. Be it the television or the smartphone, kids seem to have the cure to boredom. However, when I was growing up, T.V. time was limited to two hours and it was unimaginable that one could get their hands on a mobile phone at that young age. In fact, now when I’m bored before bedtime and find myself scrolling through an endless feed of social media, I often wonder how I ever managed to fall asleep without this nightly routine. The answer is quite simple– my mother’s bedtime stories!
The tradition of a story before sleep continued until I was a teenager and had better things to do. However, I still yearn for the fantastical tales my mother spun on the spur of the moment. Not only was this a great bonding activity for us, but it also taught me to see magic in the mundane; for in the world of these stories, misfit dragons and farm animals with attitudes could coexist and be friends.
Storytelling is a human instinct. Stories exist in many forms, be it the myths, fables, fairy tales or legends. Human beings have been exchanging stories since the very beginning. Stories are essential for communication. Intentional or not, we are continuously telling stories about ourselves or others. Storytelling before bed can be enormously beneficial for children and adults alike.
Bedtime stories give your child a head start while developing their language skills. It helps shape their listening and comprehension, teaching them patience and focus. Bedtime stories can be educational while being a fun activity at the end of the day. Your little ones are exposed to new words and various topics in a safe and comfortable environment.
When stories are read aloud, children’s minds tend to construct an imagery to accompany what they are hearing, in order to enhance understanding. Thus, storytelling is a better alternative to television as it depends on the child using their imagination to construct their own unique version of the story in order to fully experience it. And when children have their creative thinking caps on, they are capable of coming up with their own stories. Children often engage with the stories at later times as well. They might enact the tales during playtime.
Fictional characters can be relatable and help children gain different outlooks on their own situation. The protagonist of the story might be having a hard time with the loss of something or someone significant. Children can relate to similar challenges and might learn how to deal or cope with such circumstances. If a story contains problems that need to be resolved, the characters must overcome them by finding solutions. Problem solving is one of the life skills that kids can learn from such tales.
At the same time, stories provide them with the vocabulary necessary to express their feelings. They learn to be in better control of their behavior when they experience strong emotions like sadness or anger.
Children also emulate the behavior of the fictional characters if they see that it will be beneficial for them. Stories can be rich with messages about what is right and what is not to be encouraged. The values of kindness, honesty, cooperation, respect, and more can be learned through stories. Stories can also provide a boost in your child’s self-esteem if they see characters with their insecurities being accepted and celebrated.
Bedtime stories also invoke curiosity. Children tend to enjoy independent reading later on in life if they’ve been exposed to the wonder of stories by their parents. Role models can have a lot of impact on the way children behave and if they see their parents practice good reading habits, they will soon follow their example. Hence, they develop the important habit of reading and carry it well into adulthood.
Reading to one’s child can be a special bonding activity. It establishes a healthy routine of rest after a hectic day of work and play. Children can be difficult to put to sleep, but reading to them can help relax and calm them down. On the other hand, it is also a way to spend quality time with your little one. You get to interact with them and who knows, you might learn something that you never knew about them.
Apart from benefits for children, bedtime stories can help relieve stress for adults as well. It is a good distraction from the emotional burdens of the day. It also helps you connect with your inner child. Bedtime stories can stir child and adult imagination alike. As a grown up, one tends to think more rationally. Stories help us see the world through the lens of childhood wonder.
The bedtime story routine is a way for parents to take time out of their busy schedules and spend time with their children, and children get to learn life lessons while having fun. These lessons will be highly beneficial in the long run. Bedtime stories can shape their minds and strengthen their creative and imaginative powers. They learn to empathize as well as other important traits like problem solving and management of emotions. Children pick up on morals and values which are portrayed in their tales, and they develop good communication skills. Bedtime stories are a great tool for parents to promote healthy emotional growth in their children.
Images courtesy: Pallavi Banerjee & Pixabay
