Bedtime should be something each child anticipates and looks forward to.
Sleep restores our body and makes us feel better. We can teach our children to love sleep. It is helpful to have a bedtime routine to follow each night in preparation for sleep. A bedtime routine is a clue to the body that sleep is coming. A favorite portion of that bedtime routine can be reading a book together. Your child is never too young to enjoy story time.
What makes reading a bedtime story so inviting? It is a great time to cuddle with your child as you relax together. Your child loves the sound of your voice, especially when you are reading a familiar book. Yes, children do like to hear you read the same book over and over again. Yes, they will notice if you skip a word or page.
Why do so many of the children’s books rhyme? Rhyming words in a book are relaxing to listen to. They are soothing to hear and to anticipate that matching sound.
Listening to rhyming books teaches language skills to our children when they hear the same grouping of letters and sounds. Young children are learning language so their ears are tuned in to the various tones and common sounds. Rhyming words also prepare our children for reading and writing.
Our children thrive on repetition. The repetition of a bedtime routine and the repetition of reading a book gives our children a feeling of security and relaxation as they prepare for sleep.
We can build memories for our children of feeling safe and secure on your lap with their favorite book prior to going to sleep. Book reading is a wonderful way to relax your child to prepare them for bedtime.
Let me help you and your child enjoy and anticipate bedtime.
HELPING BABIES SLEEP
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