How to Read Bedtime Stories

Start early. Reading stories to your baby before they can understand language or focus on pictures might seem silly, but it helps them associate warmth and relaxation in your presence with the experience of reading. This can later foster a love for books.

• Even in the womb, babies can hear your voice and associate it with you. During infancy, your baby enjoys listening to your voice and begins to learn the rhythm of language.

Make stories a part of the bedtime routine. Having a consistent bedtime routine helps babies fall asleep more easily and ensures they sleep longer. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to sit together and help your baby unwind after a long day.

• Consider incorporating activities like an evening bath, changing into pajamas, reading a story, and turning off the lights. Stick to this routine daily at the same time.

Try classic baby books. Babies may not understand complex words or intricate stories, so opt for visually appealing, engaging, and soothing books. The rhythm of words is educational for babies. Choose books with pleasant rhymes and keep them short, as babies can’t focus for long when tired in the evening.

• Some excellent English bedtime stories for babies include “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown, “Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson, and “Time for Bed” by Mem Fox.

Read in a calm and soothing voice. Vary your tone to capture your child’s attention and help them understand the rhythm of language. Since it’s bedtime, avoid overly exciting stories, as they might overstimulate a sleepy baby and make it harder for them to fall asleep.

Let your child choose the books. There are many ways to do this, depending on your child’s personality and their ability to select books.

• Take your child to the library and let them pick a few picture books to bring home. For beginners, choose two to three books; children who love storytime and want a new story each night can pick five to ten books. At storytime, let them choose from the books they brought home or from your home collection.
• If your child needs help, narrow the options to two or three books and let them decide.

Anticipate reading the same story repeatedly. Children at this age learn through repetition, and you may find yourself reading the same story dozens of times until they lose interest. They are busy memorizing images and words, feeling excited about what comes next on each page.

• Repetition aids learning. Re-reading a story multiple times helps expand a child’s vocabulary.
• Familiar books also provide a comforting way for children to unwind after a long day. Beloved stories are often soothing and can help ease them into sleep.

Choose stories you enjoy too. Reading to your child can be fun, but it can become tedious if you pick the wrong books. Some people enjoy the quirky rhymes of Dr. Seuss, while others find them challenging and unappealing. If you have a favorite children’s book or author, incorporate those into your nightly routine.

• If your child is old enough and has a good attention span, consider reading two short stories each night. Let your child pick one, and you choose the other.

Consider popular books for this age group. Most preschoolers and kindergarteners enjoy picture books with simple yet engaging stories, lovable characters, and rhythmic text. Choose books that aren’t too long, or your child (or you) might lose interest.

• Most children’s picture books are around 30 pages long; at this age, look for books with fewer words per page.
• Some great titles for children aged 2-5 include What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum, The Napping House by Audrey Wood, and The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.

Try reading chapter books together. Before your child learns to read, you can read chapter books aloud to them. As they grow older, it can be fun to take turns reading paragraphs or have them read to you. Aim for one chapter each night.

• Many elementary schools require students to read for a set amount of time each evening. Incorporate this into your bedtime reading routine as a fun and productive way to multitask.

Don’t worry about who chooses the book. Sometimes, your child will want to pick, and that’s perfectly fine. If they’re open to suggestions, you can introduce them to stories you loved as a child or present a list of popular children’s books to find something exciting.

• Some classic stories for elementary-aged children include the Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, The BFG by Roald Dahl, and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
• Children aged 12 and up might enjoy books like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or even J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Don’t forget old favorites. Even if your child is old enough for chapter books, they might still enjoy picture books occasionally. Let them decide.

• Remember, the joy of spending time reading together is more important than worrying about the reading level or type of book.

Keep reading together as long as your child is interested. There’s no need to set a strict cutoff time for bedtime stories. It’s normal for older children to still enjoy being read to before bed. If you have multiple children, the oldest might still enjoy joining in during storytime with their siblings.

• At some point, your child may prefer to read on their own. That’s okay too. You’ve already shared many years of bedtime stories together.

Choose a comfortable spot to read. You might enjoy sitting in a rocking chair or a favorite cozy spot. You can also sit on your child’s bed to help them wind down.

• For younger children, let them sit on your lap and snuggle under a blanket as you read. Older children might prefer sitting beside you with your arm around them. If they don’t like that, it’s okay. Being together is what matters most.

Focus on your child’s interests. While there are traditional bedtime stories like Goodnight Moon, you can read almost any genre. Most children are drawn to specific types of books, and their preferences will evolve over time. Feel free to choose stories outside the traditional realm.

• For example, many children enjoy seek-and-find books, while others love books about dogs. What matters most is the time you spend reading together in a calm and relaxing environment.

Read with expression. Children of all ages enjoy listening to expressive voices during storytime. When you read with enthusiasm, your child will respond to your energy and stay engaged in the story.

• Give each character a unique voice and don’t be afraid to be silly.
• Encourage your child to predict what happens next by adding pauses or dramatic emphasis. For example, instead of saying, “Outside the window, she saw a big black bear,” you could say, “Outside the window, she saw a BIG… BLACK… BEAR!”

Encourage early literacy strategies. Even if your child can’t read yet, there are things you can do to help them develop the skills needed for reading. Try:

• Pointing to words as you read them. This teaches your child that the words on the page correspond to the words being spoken.
• Predicting what happens next. Ask your child to guess what might happen on the next page. This encourages them to use context clues and understand the story’s progression.
• Reading a few words and then asking your child to read one. Point out words they’ve recently learned or challenge them to figure out unfamiliar words.

Ask your child questions. You don’t have to rush through a story; pause at any point to discuss what you’ve read, ask your child questions, or let them examine the illustrations. Bedtime stories should be gentle and enjoyable.

Read with enthusiasm. After a long day, you might not feel excited to read Goodnight Moon when all you want is to tuck your child into bed and enjoy some quiet time. However, your child will quickly notice your energy or lack thereof.

• Remember, this is a moment your child looks forward to each day. So, be fully present and enjoy this special time together.

Choose books slightly above your child’s reading level. Children learn a lot from bedtime stories. You can help expand their vocabulary by reading books that are a bit more challenging, exposing them to new words and longer sentences. If your child is 4, try reading books aimed at 5- to 6-year-olds. Generally, the recommended age range for picture books is printed on the back cover.

• If you encounter a word your child doesn’t understand, briefly define it while reading. For example, you might say, “The princess memorized the secret code. ‘Memorized’ means she learned it so she could remember it later.”
• Avoid books that are too difficult. If your child loses interest, consider choosing a different book.