Storytime Soundbites

Current studies indicate story time has been dropped from the bedtime routine in 1 in 4 Australian households with some parents opting for tablet-led storytime instead.  Although this alternative provides parents with some time to sort out the evening chores, it’s benefits are limited when compared to what our children receive when the story is read by someone they love. Bedtime stories fill a quintessential role in childhood as much as tummy time, imagination play and social connections.  Stories are a prime moment for spontaneous reactions that might include silly conversation, human emotional responses such as a gasp, a worried face, or a big belly laugh that nurtures a bond between child and adult. 

Verbal language and non-verbal social cues are being noticed and learned from early infancy.  Reading stories provides an opportunity to foster an understanding of the connection between tone of voice, facial expressions and emotions.  Reading books with a child beginning in early infancy can boost vocabulary and reading skills 4 years later, before they even start primary school and talking about the stories can be a fun way to improve reading comprehension. 

Traditionally we think of stories as being read from books, but if you want a change from the regular routine of books, make up your own!  Ask your child to choose 3 things from their day and make up a story about them.  What adventures a water bottle can have with a slide and a dog!  And if your child is old enough, they can have a turn at making up a story for you.  

If imagination and reading aren’t your strong suit, don’t worry. Annie Facchinetti (list shared at end of article)  has some great tips to get more language into your child’s day. Best of all, it turns out the book or story you're reading isn’t as important as the time you are spending with your child.  This special one-on-one time is magical and memorable for our kids and something they will look forward to. 

If the end of the day just isn’t going to work for your family, that’s OK.  Stories are quite portable and flexible.  They can happen while younger siblings are waiting for older ones to finish school or sports training.  Stories might pop up as a set part of your weekend routines.  Breakfast might be the best time for your family and that is perfectly OK. 

Imagine your child falling asleep thinking of the story you just shared with her and the dreams she might be having.  I see story time as the perfect time to explore a picnic with a hungry caterpillar, ride on a very full broom, meet a Big Friendly Giant, find the missing green sheep and discover Possum Magic. 

Reading with Children starting in Infancy gives lasting literacy boost.  4 May 2017 AAP News

Reading Bedtime Stories - Benefits and Top Tips, 2025  ABC Reading Eggs

Aussie Children are missing out on vital literacy and communication skills due to time poor parents, 2021, Oxford University Press 

A longitudinal study of preschoolers’ language-based bedtime routines, sleep duration and well-being, 2011, Journal of Family Psychology

Why Bedtime stories are so important, Psychologist Collett Smart, Kid Spot