The Importance of Story Time in the Evening

Many parents will agree, children thrive on routine and consistency.

Story time is an important part of the daily routine for most families. It’s provides a time to sit together comfortably, reading books and preparing for a night of rest. In this article, we’re doing to take a look at the importance of story time in the evening and some books that are wonderful for children of all ages.

Learn Life and Social Skills

Sitting Still

Whether the book is three or 25 pages long, story-time can help your child practice sitting still, listening and focusing. These skills are especially important to have as the child enters a school age, where they will have to sit, listen and learn on a daily basis.

Quiet Voice

Story time provides a great opportunity for children of all ages to learn about and practice their inside voices. Especially, when the story is being read at nighttime, in an educational setting or library. Children can practice their quiet voice on a regular basis during nightly story time with parents and family.

Language Development

Through listening and reading on a nightly basis, you can help to encourage your child to further develop their language skills, along with reading and comprehension along the way! They will be introduced to new words, practice their speech skills and even associate the meaning with the written word.

After reading the same story time and time again, your child may begin to also recognize the written words - aiding in even stronger language development and skills.

Quality Time with Parents and Family

What better way to spend time with your child, than winding down at the end of the day with a story? Story time also provides family members, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, with the opportunity to bond with your child during a platonic and relaxing activity.

Change into comfortable pyjamas, cuddle up in bed or on the couch and find a book to enjoy together!

Spark Their Imagination

Reading a wide range of books can truly help to spark their imagination and encourage creativity. Not only that, but it can also start fun and imaginative conversations between the two of you, creating wonderful memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Open their eyes to the imaginative world around them. Whether it be a fairy princess or dragon guarding a castle, the right book can really help to spark their imagination.

Age Appropriate Book Ideas

Are you looking to introduce new books into your nightly story time routine? Here are some book ideas, organized by age category, that would make a wonderful addition to just about any home library!

The Best Books for Babies: Aged 0-1

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

  • On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

  • First 100 Words by Roger Priddy

The Best Books for Toddlers: Aged 1-3

  • Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

  • Potty by Leslie Patricelli

  • We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates

  • The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

  • Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

The Best Books for Preschool: Aged 3-5

  • If Animals Kissed Goodnight by Ellen Stoll Walsh

  • The Skin You Live in by Michael Tyler

  • Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

  • Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman

  • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

The Best Books for Grade School: Aged 5-12

  • Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

  • Olivia by Ian Falconer

  • The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

  • Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss

  • Charlotte’s Web by E.B White

  • Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Of course, these book ideas are merely suggestions to help you get started and expand your home library! What’s important is finding a book that your child enjoys and that you spend time relaxing, bonding and learning together!

Family Time, Early LearningCarly McGill