Children's Stories to Help Them Sleep

The bedtime ritual gives parents and children a chance to bond after a busy day. In many households, bedtime is one of the few times a parent can spend time talking to a child about school and other events of the day. Reading to a child at bedtime is a way to make the time together memorable, while helping to foster a love of reading. Since not every child is eager to admit they are sleepy, choosing a good bedtime story can help a child willingly go to sleep.

  1. Sleepy Characters

    • Reading children stories about people or animals getting ready for bed can help them settle down for sleep. Stories that remind children that everyone has to sleep often keeps the child from lying in bed while trying to fight off sleep. "Goodnight Little Bear" by Richard Scarry and "Shhhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping" by David Perkins both show children that everyone goes to sleep after a day of hard work or play.

    Stories With Repetition

    • Bedtime stories that follow set patterns of simple repetition help soothe a child's mind, making it easier for her to fall asleep. Books that repeat the same words also help build a child's vocabulary. "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown offers simple patterns that repeat throughout the story, helping a child learn while helping her sleep.

    Made-Up Tales

    • Children who are having a hard time falling asleep often respond well to made-up stories. Hearing a parent tell a story that involves a favorite toy that addresses the days activities can relax a child. If a parent is telling a child a made-up story about a favorite toy, letting the child hold that toy during the story will further relax her.

    Movie- and Television-Inspired Books

    • Most children have a favorite movie or television show. Reading a child a story about her favorite characters will capture her attention. Once a child focuses on the book, she will stop fighting sleep and start getting comfortable. Choosing a longer story will increase the chances of the child falling into a quiet sleep while listening to a parent read.

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