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Enjoy this blog post about the benefits of reading stories to children at bedtime by Super Mum and Freelance Writer, Serena Assih.

After an epically busy day, dinner and bath time are now over, your toddler is settled into his or her pyjamas and the final ritual of the evening is about to commence – the bedtime story.

Once this has been completed – inclusive of appropriate character voices, you’re gently warmed from within by the feeling of satisfaction at successfully closing another day. At this point, your little one drifts off into a peaceful sleep and you silently tiptoe out of the bedroom and head downstairs for some much needed adult time.

While this may be an idealised version of events, there is real evidence that nightly reading to children has many positive benefits. As a mother with three little darlings at home, it’s reassuring to know that my efforts are helping my children in multiple ways, apart from just trying to get them to sleep. Due to their ages, currently six, four and seven months, this is an activity that we’ll be engaged in for several years to come.

The Benefits Explained

So how exactly are you aiding your little cherubs by sharing stories before bed?

Vocabulary expansion

Exposing children to a wide variety of language gives them the opportunity to add new words and expressions to their own speech. Reading enables this process of language acquisition and development to happen more quickly. Stories also allow them to gain knowledge about concepts which are not part of their everyday lives, for example, polar bears, penguins and sea lions.

Improves Logical Thinking

While reading the same books over and over again to our children can be tedious for us as adults, it’s quite the opposite for youngsters. When encountering a story for the first time they do not catch all the details. Each time they listen to it being read they notice new things. Eventually they learn to recognise patterns and will begin predicting what will happen next. This ability stays with them as they move through school and can help in several subjects such as maths, music and writing.

Motor Skills

Learning how to turn the pages of a book gives children the opportunity to develop their motor skills, starting with chunky baby friendly board books all the way through to weighty tomes with wafer thin leaves.

Better Attainment at School

According to research, attainment at school at age eight has a lot to do with how quickly that child was able to process words when they were two years old.

Emotional and Social Development

A child who progresses well through primary school is said to be more likely to continue onto higher education, have better employment prospects, stay married and be less likely to go to prison.

Reduces stress

An important part of children’s development is learning how to cope with stresses, such as moving to a new school, being bullied or the arrival of a baby sibling. During times like these, the body produces the hormone cortisol which is responsible for  ‘fight or flight’ response. If there is too much cortisol present, it can stop a child from learning, but snuggling up in bed being read a favourite story can actually reduce stress levels. That also goes for parents too.

Because I’m Happy…

The benefits of reading bedtime stories to your precious little angels are quite substantial. Each day’s investment of a few minutes of time is creating a greater chance of raising a happy, balanced and well-adjusted young person. So read on Mums and Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunties and Uncles and be encouraged that you’re doing a great job.

Sereena Assih is a freelance writer at finerwords.com

FIVE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO READ TO YOUR KIDS IN 3 MINUTES OR LESS
(a.k.a. A brief guide on how to kill the read-aloud bird)

Time is short these days. Hapless parents are left with less and less time to read to their kids.

So I assembled the best time-tested tips that will allow you to continue telling your friends: “I read to my kids every day!” – while
keeping actual reading sessions at a bare minimum.

A win-win situation for tired parents!

The kids may be unhappy with 3 minutes at first, but – hey - eventually they will let you start skipping reading sessions altogether.

If they do – try not to remind them. It probably means that you are reading very effectively in the remaining sessions that you have
together.

To be successful in cutting back reading to your kids to just 3 minutes a day – you need to:

1. MAINTAIN YOUR VOICE STEADY

(Keep it dull!)

As soon as you start reading, make sure to set the tone. Your voice should be monotonous and low, keep all excitement out of your reading.
It is especially good if you do this on a daily basis, so that your kids know what to expect.

Don’t try to imitate voices or animals, don’t knock on tables when there is knocking on doors in books, don’t move your body and arms
around.

At all costs, do not excite the little ones.

Less is more.

Nothing is as infectious as boredom.

2. FACE THE BOOK AT ALL TIMES

(Don’t show them the pictures!)

Let’s face it. Picture books are so “yesterday”.

The less pictures they see, the less pictures they expect. It’s a success spiral that will ensure that your kids listen to chapter books
as early as possible … or fall asleep. Whichever happens first.

If they see the pictures, then they also want to talk and discuss. If they start debating, you lose time.

Cut debates out easily, by cutting the pictures out.

Picture books are for kids.

It’s the 21 century. It’s time for your four-year old to grow up.

3. READ, BABY, READ

(Rev it up!)

Oh yes. It’s a race.

Never slow down, the end is in sight.

Just one more minute left for six pages. Fill the quota!! Let’s teach our little ones, its not comprehension that matters most of the time.
It’s whether you stick to your plan.

Of course, you may lose your children’s attention while speeding. But don’t slow down, today’s world is all about performance and results.
Lead by example.

Some so-called experts claim that one of the best factors that will help your read aloud style and listener understanding is to slow down,
take it easy.

That’s yesterday’s advice.

Reading slow is for losers.

Oh yes, and you have a quota to fulfill.

4. YOU’RE THE MAN!

(Lead – don’t just read!)

Reading is a great moment to establish your position of natural authority. It’s not a time for debate.

Ask yourself why is China the most s

"Reading: Can it be fun and educational at the same time?"

by Elysabeth Eldering

Have you ever picked up a book that was said to be educational and found it to be boring? Have you ever read an educational book that you thought could be fun for the youngsters in the schools? If you've read an educational book that you thought was boring, what would make it more fun and still keep the educational component to it?

In my series, the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state, mystery, trivia series, I've found a way to appeal to both the fun and educational side of books. My goal was to be entertaining and informative without forcing the learning aspect.

How does one go about finding the happy median to be both educational and fun? Find a topic that interests you. Find the most appealing and fun, sometimes quirky, information about that topic. Educational does not have to mean boring. Write as if you are a child experiencing the material for the first time. What would your reaction be to a silly law clue like "In this state, it is illegal to give another citizen a box of candy weighing more than fifty pounds."?

After all your information is gathered, find a way to convey the topic in a less traditional way that is fun. My series uses a handheld game that is a cross between a PSP and Nintendo DS or any number of other devices like that. Taking all the facts that I've gathered, I made the game the star. The characters playing the game become the "geography squad" and they have to guess the state based on clues thrown out at them. As they discuss the clues, the readers are learning through the eyes of the characters. It's a balance of reaction and personalities coming through on the pages. Use your gut reactions and base your characters' reactions in a similar way. Dialogue will carry through in situations like this.