Whether you devoured an Enid Blyton mystery or giggled your way through The Very Hungry Caterpillar, when you think back to your childhood, the chances are you have fond memories of reading before bed with a parent.

Our lives today can be so fast paced that we fear missing out on our own children’s best years. So actively setting aside time to read a bedtime story is a fantastic way to make sure you have regular opportunities to spend quality time together and make lasting memories.

But outside of this, reading bedtime stories can actually have so many positive impacts on your child’s learning and development. Regardless of whether they’re 2 or 12!

So, what are the benefits of reading bedtime stories?

It helps provide structure to the day

Bedtimes can be a challenging time in any parent’s day. We’ve all experienced a child who claims not to be tired but you know deep down they are well beyond the point of exhaustion, and getting them into bed is no easy feat.

Reading stories each night is a great tool as it provides somewhat of a daily routine (which we know is hugely beneficial for children) and acts as a subtle indicator that it’s almost time for bed without explicitly saying those words.

Helps children to unwind and settle

In the 21st century, so much of our day is dominated by screen time. And that goes for our children too.

Exposure to screens (specifically the blue light they give off) inhibits the melatonin hormone which is what makes us sleepy. So reading a physical book before bed will provide crucial time away from a screen and help reduce cortisol levels to create a calm environment in which your child can fall asleep. This can also help improve sleep quality which sets you both up for a better day the next day!

Helps develop their sense of imagination

Bedtime stories can bring a sense of escapism and allow your child’s imagination to run wild. This can benefit them in their day-to-day life as your child can then bring some of their creativity and imagination into playtime, whether playing on their own or with others.

Reading before bedtime also creates an opportunity to enhance your child’s thirst for knowledge, which is never a bad thing!

Teaches valuable life lessons

Many children’s stories include a moral, such as the importance of friendship, laughing at your mistakes or kindness to others. These teachings are presented through stories in a subtle and engaging way so children can learn from them and take these practices into everyday scenarios.

Improves speech development

If your child is in the very early stages of their life and hasn’t yet learnt to speak, reading books to them can be hugely beneficial to their speech development as they will be able to passively absorb language and begin to understand certain sounds or words.

For children who are slightly older and have developed some basic language, reading aloud with them before bed can help advance their vocabulary and improve their speech. Reading aloud is something that’s not uncommon in schools and can be a daunting task if they’re not confident in doing so, so practising with a parent at home can help build up that skill.

Advances learning at all ages

Even if your child is very young, reading bedtime stories can still have a positive impact on their learning and development. As children’s books are often very visual, they allow your child to learn new colours and shapes in a fun and engaging way.

A good exercise for older children is to encourage them to read aloud but also to mark or jot down any words they are not familiar with so you can go back and look up the definitions afterwards. This gives them the opportunity to actively advance their vocabulary and makes learning more interactive.

12 Bedtime Reads We Love

For children aged 5 and under:

Little People Big Dreams, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara - a wonderful way to introduce role models of today in an engaging and age-appropriate way
The Little Elephant That Never Wants To Fall Asleep, Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin - a tried and tested, parent-approved book with techniques to reclaim bedtime and provide a sweet and tender end to each day.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Judith Kerr - the fun tale of a tiger who mysteriously turns up at the dinner table. One that will be read on repeat!
Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers - an understated story of friendship and loneliness with a strong moral.

For children aged 5-8:

Peter Pan - a timeless classic that will ignite a sense of adventure in those that read it.
Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White - An undisputed children’s classic with a wonderful moral.
The Famous Five books - an engaging mystery series bound to spark your child’s imagination. The book is also peppered with strong morals and characters that break social boundaries.
A Bedtime Full of Stories: 50 Folktales and Legends from Around the World, Angela McAllister - These folk tales and legends are the perfect length for a bedtime story and reading aloud. Each is set in a different place and will transport children around the world as well as into fantasy lands.

For children aged 9+:

The Harry Potter series, JK Rowling - one of the most iconic book series of the twentieth century, offering a tantalising glimpse of the endlessly spellbinding wizarding world.
The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket - The first of a 13-part series of books that tells the adventures of three intelligent, orphaned siblings, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire.
Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian - The powerful story of deprived evacuee William Beech and his slow-burning friendship with the cantankerous Tom Oakley.
His Dark Materials: The Northern Lights, Philip Pullman - Set in an alternate universe of species-shifting daemons, magical artefacts and forbidden knowledge, Northern Lights is the first volume of Pullman’s iconic fantasy saga.

These are just some of our favourite reads but don’t feel limited to these. Other parents, teachers or friends may have recommendations on books they and their children have loved and you may have books in mind yourself. No matter which book you opt for, there are so many positives that come from reading bedtime stories together and if you can get your child into reading when they’re young, it’s more likely to develop a passion and something they continue in their adult life.