In previous posts I shared some tips on how to help your children sleep better and proven strategies based on my own experience of the benefits of storytelling.
In this blog post I want to go further to discuss how the ritual of bedtime reading can help your children sleep better, improve their development and self-esteem.
This is such an important topic as you and I know the development of a child’s growth and self worth is extremely significant. Self-esteem is feeling good about yourself. Good self-esteem helps children try new things, take healthy risks and solve problems. It gives them a solid foundation for their learning and development.
There are many ways children can develop self-esteem; knowing they are loved and come from a family who value them, feeling a sense of belongingness, occasionally being praised and encouraged to follow their dreams and what makes them happy, and feeling secure and confident about the future.
Believe it or not, bedtime reading can help with all of the above…
According to Women’s and Children’s Health Network, reading aloud to babies and children is really important in their early years and has an impact on their overall development and future learning. Stories help children to cope with many feelings and problems. Story time can be a special caring time with you that your children will remember all their lives.
Part of building self-esteem and confidence is knowing where you fit in, in the world. Stories help your child develop this sense of belonging. This is even more important if you have come from another place, your child feels different or your family has been split up. Special story time at bedtime can help your child look forward to going to bed, to enjoy being close to you and to relax, ready for sleep.
Books can help your child to escape for a while from the stresses and pressures of their world as the story takes their imagination to other wonderful places. Most importantly your child will thrive on spending time with you. Reading and telling stories to your child can become a very special bonding and sharing time. It helps your children to learn to love books and to develop a sense of being.
Remember story telling plays a huge role in your child’s development as many children remember their story times for the rest of their lives.
Sleepy Magic has helped my children’s development and improved their self-esteem significantly. By incorporating bedtime reading into your evening routine, you will help your kids calm down, building a greater connection with them and you are also giving them a way to build their confidence and self-worth.
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