Reading a bedtime story is beneficial to both children and their parents. Starting as early as pregnancy, a woman can develop a strong bond with her unborn child by routinely reading to her womb. The baby absorbs mother’s voice and language even before it is born. Reading encourages speech and language development in the fetus before birth and well into the childhood years.

A good bedtime story is the perfect stress-reliever for parent and child. Reading aloud can calm a child and lower his/her stress level, and the soothing environment will, in turn, calm the parent, as well. Even a 15-minute storytime provides a great way to bond and relax with your child after a long day of work, school, or other daily activities. Reading the same book or story repeatedly teaches language and enhances memory, and can help a child develop his/her logic skills. A child will hear a story over and over and begin to notice patterns and sequences. Routine bedtime stories can help a child develop a love for books. A child who is accustomed to a regular bedtime story will be eager for bedtime because he/she wants to hear the story and understand it. The child will open his/her mind to the story and learn to develop keen listening skills.

Routines such as bedtime are much more important to children than they are to adults. Reading a regular bedtime story can become a cozy ritual of learning and bonding time between parent and child. Bedtime stories should not be too stimulating or frightening for the child to fall asleep afterward. Establishing a bedtime routine that includes a fun and relaxing story will condition the child to go to bed at the same time every night and form healthy sleep habits. The greatest value, however, may be the opportunity to be lulled to sleep by the soothing voice of someone they love.