Reading to your child(ren) - or reading a book together - is not only a fun activity or a cool bedtime ritual, it also strengthens the bond between the two of you! This may be more than you realize ... and - you read it right - reading aloud also has a positive effect on your kids' sleep (and hopefully yours too 😉 ). Want to know how? Read on quickly!
Just unwind ...
By inserting a (pre)reading moment before bedtime you create 'a little moment' in which you give children and yourself a chance to relax after a busy day at school and/or at work. 🤯 For example, the simple, recognizable stories - and beautifully illustrated ones - by Yumi Yay are ideal for taking a moment to unwind after a day full of 'musts'. And ... it has been proven that when you relax before going to bed, you also automatically sleep better and deeper! 💤
Moments of connection
Reading to your child(ren) not only brings peace, it also strengthens your bond because it gives your child(ren) a sense of safety and security. 💕 Something that can only have a positive impact on their sleep and ... when they've gone to dreamland, our Yumi Yay friends (a.k.a. our nightlights with removable animal covers) continue to watch over them! 😉 (Tip: let your little one(s) choose for themselves, which friend will be watching over them that night!).
Stimulate the imagination
By reading aloud, you also stimulate your child(ren)'s imagination! For example, you encourage them to invent images to accompany a story, imagine the characters ... But illustrations in a book can also have that effect! So take some time to look carefully at the pictures together, if there are any (like in our stories).
By the way, did you know, that every Yumi Yay story has a (extra) animal hidden in it? 🔍 Perfect for getting them actively involved in the read-aloud moment! Last but not least, stimulating their imagination can also help them to be less anxious, for example about the dark, which will - you guessed it - help them sleep better ... Byebye nightmares! 👋
Fun ... and educational!
Books are not only fun to read (aloud), but also educational. By reading aloud, you not only stimulate children's language development and vocabulary, but you also pass on the pleasure of reading! AND, with any luck, they also learn to listen better and train their concentration skills! #yourewelcome 😏
Finally, a few more (reading aloud) tips ...
- Create a cozy and comfortable (pre-)reading spot.
- Choose soft lighting (Tip: Yumi Yay night lights).
- Go for calm, positive stories (such as those of Otti, Finn, Billy or Tika).
- Ask your child(ren) about their favorite character(s).
- Engage them by asking what they thought of the story.
- Try to make it a regular (evening) ritual!
So reading aloud is not only a fun activity for young and old, you also 'invest' in the sleep and development of your child(ren). In short, a real win-win and the ideal evening activity during dark days! 🌃