A book at bedtime – why reading to your child is so important

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families, has called on parents to read with their children for ten minutes every day.

“Surveys have shown that one in ten children is never read a bedtime story and half of children rarely discuss reading at home. As a parent myself I know how hard it can be to find time, but just ten minutes a day can make a difference to a child’s future - and create a love of reading from a very early age.”

Lack of time is one of the main reasons given by parents for not reading a book at bedtime. However, the lack of a goodnight story could affect children's brain development, attention span and behaviour patterns in later life.

Reading a story to your child at bedtime is an intimate time when you can cuddle up and share a book together. It’s a way of showing your child that whatever upsets have happened during the day, you love and cherish her.

A book at bedtime helps to:

• extend your child’s vocabulary;
• make sense of the world in your child's eyes;
• introduce new ideas;
• reaffirm what they know;
• provide time for a cuddle!
  

When to start
Babies thrive on hearing their mum’s voice but some people feel a bit silly chatting to a baby. If that doesn’t come naturally to you, then reading from a book is a good starting point.

As babies reach their first year or so, a bedtime story should be part of the night-time routine, it becomes part of the winding down process. Listening to a bedtime story is conducive to the child falling asleep - it provides closure to the day. For this reason most parents read to their children when they’re tucked up in bed and it does mean there is no distraction from the television.
 
Even very young children show reading preferences, so take them to the library and let them choose as soon as they are able. Librarians can also give guidance on what to read to particular age groups. There has never been such a wide and excellent choice of children’s books and, of course, it gives you a chance to reread your old favourites as well as discover new authors.
 
As children learn to read by themselves, listening to them will probably be part of the after-school or early evening routine. At bedtime you can read something that’s beyond their capabilities, perhaps reading a chapter or two each evening, or an old favourite your child loves to hear. 

PWT tips

• If you’re worried about losing “grown-up time” with your partner, start the evening routine a bit earlier and have a time limit on reading, say ten to 15 minutes.
• Don’t be embarrassed about reading aloud – small children love the sound of their parents’ voices, have fun reading together and don’t be shy about inventing silly voices – kids love it.
• Children are amused by being in the story so change a character’s name sometimes to your own child’s.
• Young children adore hearing the same story over and over again – you might be tired of it but they won’t. If you are getting fed up of the same old books - compromise by having one new with one favourite.
  

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