10 Benefits Of Reading Bedtime Stories
Once upon a time there was a little boy who listened to wonderful stories every night, in the company of his mother and father. These stories filled his thoughts with incredible adventures which he later relived as he fell exhausted into the arms of Morpheus. This small example shows you the great benefits of reading bedtime stories to your children.
The dreams of a child who falls asleep being lulled by the fantasy of stories and tales are unforgettable. His creativity will be stimulated and his cognitive development will be favored. But one of the main benefits of reading fairy tales lies in the strong bond that is created with the parents who, with their voices, give life to suggestive characters and narratives.
How many of you, still today as adults, remember with sweetness when mum and dad read their fairy tales to them? These kinds of memories, in addition to giving us a hint of melancholy, have the advantage of being unforgettable. Nobody can ever take them away from you. So: wouldn’t it be nice to give this extraordinary sensation to your little ones too?
The benefits of reading fairy tales are many, as we will see together in this article. Both for the listener and for the reader. Do not miss this unique opportunity to dedicate time to those who have filled your life with their love and become extraordinary storytellers of fantastic and wonderful stories, putting aside the coldness of TV and tablets.
Why should you read fairy tales to children?
Undoubtedly, offering them this moment of sharing at the end of the day opens a unique window for communication and intimacy with the little ones of the house. This dynamic which, over time, will become a habit, allows you to be part of an important moment for your children: rest.
According to several recent studies, reading bedtime stories not only strengthens the bond between parents and children. It also helps brain development by increasing memory and relaxing the body.
On top of that, by encouraging verbal communication with these tools, you can improve logic skills and reduce stress levels that prevent peaceful sleep. Likewise, you will encourage the child to broaden his vocabulary and develop language more quickly. In fact, by listening to what you read, neural connections will be stimulated.
Cultural heritage and transmission of values
On the other hand, reading fairy tales transports the little ones towards realities that go beyond everyday life. For example speaking of dolphins, giraffes, whales, etc. This will help them have broader conversations.
Likewise, by telling the same story over and over again, you will strengthen learning, with sequence understanding, pattern recognition, and anticipation training. This will affect other aspects such as reading, writing, music, math skills, science learning and more.
To these benefits of reading fairy tales is added the possibility of inculcating positive values and behaviors in a fun way, which will be reflected in their daily lives. Without realizing it, the child will learn new ways of interacting with the world, without forcing or obligations.
Finally, it is an excellent way to free yourself from the oppression of television that flattens thoughts and dreams, because of the “everything and now”. While there are educational programs that can teach children good things too, nothing can ever replace your voice.
Your mere presence has a fundamental impact on their growth.
Benefits of reading fairy tales for adults
Reading a story before going to sleep is not only good for the little ones. Parents will have the opportunity to learn to approach their little ones in a peaceful, trusting and loving way.
Another benefit of reading fairy tales is that it fosters intimacy. Parents and children will be able to share many things through reading and listening to these stories. For example, emotions, dreams, desires and fears. When you face complex issues in the future, you will already know how to express and communicate.
Another benefit for mom and dad is that they will learn to convey a message with clarity and detail. Sometimes your children don’t understand what you mean to them and this can lead to bad behavior. But, if you find out how to explain things well, everything will improve dramatically.
Give your little ones a childhood full of fantasy, magic and color. Choose a story and take the child by the hand every night, accompanying him to strange and curious worlds, where both of you can learn a lot. And, above all, you will feel close, side by side.
