Children need a way to know their day is coming to an end (especially during Alaska summer months), and bedtime routines do just that. Research proves again and again that routines are helpful for getting longer, more peaceful sleep as well as the ability to self-soothe.
The best bedtime routines include a story! Bedtime stories are short, sweet, and easy to do every night. Set aside a few minutes each night before bed to share a book or tell a story. The beauty of the bedtime stories is that benefits go way beyond good sleep. Research shows that children who read regularly with their parents as part of their bedtime routine show improvement in language, reading and literacy rates, and school readiness. Plus, there’s ample snuggle time included, so this special bonding time encourages a love of reading. AND, if you use bedtime stories as a way to calm your child before bed, you might find that bringing out books during the day helps when your child is fussy. Who else hears: win, win, win?!
This topic is a key component of the following early learning domains and goals from State of Alaska Early Learning Guidelines:
Social & Emotional Development
– Children develop positive relationships with adults
Communication, Language, and Literacy
– Children listen and understand communication
– Children demonstrate appreciation and enjoyment of reading
