The magic of bedtime story is undeniable. A well-told bedtime tale can transport children into fantastical worlds where anything’s possible. Imagine a scene: your child is anticipating, you’re snug under a blanket, and the room has a soft lamp by your bedside. The moment magic happens is at this point.
Storytelling used to be an art, passed down through the generations. Grandparents passed on timeless wisdom through epic sagas. Although we might use eReaders or picture books today, the essentials remain unchanged. It’s important to make connections and stimulate imaginations.
Remember those sleepless nights as a kid? You probably had a story you loved to hear. Whether it was a tale about brave knights defeating dragons, or clever animals outwitting opponents, you were sure to remember. Whatever the subject matter, it made a lasting impact on your mind.
Jenny, a friend of mine, tells her children tales about her childhood years in Ireland. She told her children a story one night about leprechauns putting pots filled with gold at rainbow’s end. Her son was curious and asked if she could find one. Jenny laughed. “Only, if we are lucky enough!” This simple exchange started a series of adventures in the backyard looking for elusive items.
The delivery of bedtimes stories is just as important as their content. Shakespeare isn’t required to tell a good tale. It can be as simple as how you deliver it. Use different voices, dramatic pauses or sound effects to create characters. The more animated your characters are, the better they will engage with your audience.
One night, I decided that instead of reading to my niece Lily from her book collection, I would improvise an original story. I started by imagining a girl from the ordinary world who finds herself in a magical forest filled with talking fairies and trees. Lily’s giggles soon turned into gasps in surprise as the plot twisted and turned.
You don’t have to make up every story or include mythical creatures. Sometimes anecdotes from real life can be just as effective. Tell stories from your own past, such as the time that you attempted to build a ‘treehouse’ but got stuck halfway in the tree. Dad eventually rescued you using his trusty ladder.
A good mixture keeps things fresh. Mix up your fairy tales by rotating between the classics (like “Cinderella”) and the modern ones (“Harry Potter”), as well cultural myths and legends from around the world.
You can make bedtime storytelling even more engaging by including interactive elements. Ask them questions – “What do you think will happen?” Ask them to choose between two choices: will our hero venture into a cave or climb a mountain? This allows them to be active creators rather than passive recipients!
A second tip: Even silly voices make everyday moments memorable. I remember when my dad would read the book “Green Eggs and Ham,” with such exaggerated enthusiasm that I’d roll on my bed, laughing before Sam I Am ever offered his odd breakfast.
The bedtime story is a precious time to connect with your child.
The next time you put your child to bed, go beyond the standard routines.