Once Upon a Time: The importance of a bedtime story for children

A story in the evening can help development, improve sleep and bring you closer to your little one

A bedtime story is a parenting staple that has endured through the generations. Many of us have fond memories of sharing a story with our parents or guardians.

But family life can be busy – especially when shared between work and social commitments – meaning it’s all too easy for bedtime stories to fall by the wayside. In fact, research from Uber found that while 70% of us value bedtime stories as part of a child’s routine, almost half of parents say work stops them sharing stories at bedtime, and one in five parents never read to their children.

A bedtime story can improve sleep behaviours and encourage development in children, as well as ending every day on a positive note. We’re going to take a closer look at the importance of a bedtime story, asking whether adults can benefit too.

What are the benefits of a bedtime story?

Making time to read with your child at the end of the day gives you a chance to bond with them, offering the perfect time to talk, cuddle and make memories. It’s also a chance to support your child’s reading comprehension by practising shared reading – taking it turns to read a page, paragraph or sentence.

Bedtime stories spark imagination and create conversations. Reading together can trigger questions and help children understand more about the world around them, while also stimulating the mental patterns that are fundamental to creativity.

Your child’s vocabulary and emotional intelligence can also improve with regular bedtime reading. Reading aloud introduces your child to new words and new ways of describing the world around them, while also helping them recognise feelings and realise that they aren’t alone in the emotions they’ve experienced.

A bedtime story encourages independent reading, helping to instil a love of books in your little one. Research by the National Literacy Trust found a link between reading and mental wellbeing, meaning a bedtime story could help with childhood anxiety and stress – both of which are currently on the rise.

Bedtime stories and sleep

A set nightly routine is essential for better sleep in children. By going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, your child will naturally learn when it’s time to be energised and when it’s time to relax. You can support this further by engaging in relaxing activities in the hour before bedtime to help them unwind, such as a bath and a bedtime story.

Bedtime stories can promote relaxation at bedtime even in older children. At the end of a busy day, a bedtime story acts as a full stop on the day’s events, creating a safe space and helping your child think of their bedroom as a sanctuary from the outside world.

What about bedtime stories for grown-ups?

As with children, reading before bed can be a good way to unwind before sleep even as an adult. These days, many of us scroll on our phones until the minute our heads hit the pillow (and even for a while afterwards), but swapping your phone for a book can help you feel more relaxed when bedtime rolls around, encouraging better sleep.

Reading takes your mind off the day’s stresses, drawing a line between day and night and creating a healthy transition period. No matter how busy life gets, it’s important to remember that you’re never too old for a bedtime story.

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