![]() Watch as the flames get smaller and gradually turn into little sparks. We've been feeding it with prepared logs all evening, but now it's time to let it burn out. Night creeps silently towards us and begins to dress the whole world in a dark cloak.Ī guitar has just finished singing its last notes and the fire crackles in front of us. The red sky in the distance is slowly getting darker and the sun is setting over the horizon. In our home, the bedtime read is one of calmest and most enjoyable times of the day.Imagine we're sitting around a campfire. Okay, maybe 2-year-olds never fully calm down, but even toddlers will lay their heads back on your shoulder and get into the groove. Their fidgeting and wiggles start to lessen and they pay attention to what’s happening. As soon the door closes, the lights dim, and we sit in the chair or lay on the bed calmness starts to reign. This is true, especially if they don’t have a Quiet Time in their daily routine.Īt night, however, their own drive to sleep calms them down. Right after an intense playtime, they may be wound up. Right before a meal or snack, kids are hungry. While we will read during other parts of the day, it’s often difficult for the kids to pay attention and concentrate. Bedtime is the calmest and quiet part of the day It may not seem like much, but our kids eat it up. This means that if we had a super busy day, there are at least 15+ minutes a day where the child gets a parent’s undivided attention. We rotate who gets who depending on the night and which parent the child asks for. It’s undeniably beneficial, and yet it’s hard to fit in.īecause of that, we do bedtime routines for each child individually. If you have multiple children at home you know the struggle to find time to spend with your children individually. If I know something is going on with a child, I’ll choose a book that speaks to that issue and then engage them in conversation throughout.īedtime is a great opportunity for individual time We’ve done this for other issues as well such as body parts, watching too much TV, why it’s important to eat healthy, and sharing. We have an entire book series on manners, and bedtime story time is the perfect opportunity to break them out. While they aren’t being purposefully “rude,” this goes against societal norms. Someone will say “hello” and the boys will just stare at them blankly. The other day my mother mentioned that my two middle boys don’t greet people well when spoken to. Read: How to read to kids who won’t sit still You can choose books that speak to current life events A parent’s words are very calming to children so the mere fact you are reading – even using silly voices – can help children feel safe. Tots will usually sit still and pay attention, which is enough to help their heart rates slow. Reading books is an excellent way to help the wind-down. It’s one of the best ways to get your little ones to go to sleep without fighting, screaming, and refusing. Since the hour preceding bedtime is Crazy Town over here, it’s necessary for us to have wind-down routines in place. They love both reading and the closeness it brings. This is a time when my children who aren’t normally big cuddlers without cause will snuggle up, play with my hair, and consent to being tickled for a time. You know, cause it makes things more fun. We often read in my daughter’s room with this jumbo flashlight. And our relationship together.Ĭhildren can sit in your lap, beside you on the chair, or you can even lay in bed with them and read. We already know that cuddling is good for our children’s brains. ![]() ![]() You get and give lots of cuddles while reading bedtime stories Still, research shows the undeniable benefits of reading with your toddlers and preschoolers at night before bed. Reasons reading bedtime stories is important for kidsĮvery family is different and there is no cookie cutter mold. Go to individual room and wait for mom and dad to come, read, and have some snuggle time ( psst… it’s actually good for their brains!).Take a bath or shower (not every single night).Leave the dinner table and run around with siblings screaming in the ecstasy that only comes pre-bedtime.Our bedtime routine goes something like this: The kids always ask for bedtime stories and, unless we are really strapped for time, it’s the one part of bedtime routine we try not to let slide. ![]()
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