Every night, a ritual takes place in homes worldwide, possibly even in yours. Before putting your children to bed, you, as the parent, will read stories to them. As our kids get a little older, however, something changes. Before they go to sleep, we stop reading to them. We might think they’re too old for bedtime stories, or the kids might insist on reading aloud to themselves because they believe they’ve outgrown this custom.
This article will explore the age when most parents stop reading their kids’ bedtime stories and how this impacts their children’s growth.
On average, parents start reading to their kids less frequently around the age of seven. For half of the eight and nine-year-old children surveyed, bedtime reading at home had either stopped or was only occasionally done.
A study by the Book Trust showed that the number of parents who read to their five-year-old children stands at 86%. However, the number drops to 38% by the time the children turn 11.
We can deduce from this data that parents stop reading to their children around the age when they start reading independently. There might be an assumption from the parents that the children have outgrown this ritual, and if they needed to read the stories, they could do it independently.
However, this assumption might be skewed since there are different ways of adjusting the bedtime reading ritual to accommodate the child’s growth. For example, the routine may change from having the child sit on your lap to leaning on your shoulder. Another adjustment could include having the child read out the stories instead of listening as their language skills improve with age.
There are numerous documented benefits to children’s learning abilities and brain development brought on by reading bedtime stories to your children well into their teenagehood, and some top benefits may include:
Improved Language Skills
The language impact of reading to them ultimately improves their speaking, language recognition, and listening skills, which are essential to their rapidly developing brains.
Enhanced Cognitive Development
Reading to younger children who may not yet be able to speak is crucial for brain development because it improves their memory and attention span. Reading also helps the child grow socially by exposing them to different environments, albeit virtually.
Improved vocabulary among children
According to studies, children who read bedtime stories had a richer vocabulary. Additionally, they have excellent word comprehension.
Exposure to Different emotions and Situations
A child exposed to stories is exposed to motivational characters and situations earlier in life; stories tend to aid children in understanding, expressing, and managing their emotions.
The main lesson to be learned from this article is that there is no ideal time to stop reading bedtime stories to your kids. Your children will benefit from this ritual by developing exceptional skills crucial for their adult lives.
Download our Moshi bedtime stories for kids app to help your children reap the benefits of bedtime stories and make their childhood memorable.
