How rewarding is reading bedtime stories to children?

Question

I am not doing it, although I love it. I am lying here listening to a mother quietly read to her daughter.

It is beautiful. The little giggles, the silly little questions. How precious is that?

Answer 1

My mother read to us when we were little and I read vigalantly (sp?) to my six kids ... and still do to my 8 year old.  We were HUGE on the whole book thing. I love it. I hope my kids read a lot to their children..and it still amazes me that I find all these parents that don't read to their children. It is sooo beneficial in so many ways.  And we read more than one book..lots of books..and with my eight year old now I read chapter books to her..a few chapters....between 50-100 pages a night. She's always been addicted to hearing stories though. We used to tease her because her most frequent words when she was little was "readthebook" and she'd say it like it was one word over and over..then we'd sit and have to read like twenty books...cause all the kid ones were too short for her...

Anyhow, although I avidly read to all of them, and think every parent should read to their children, even if it's just one short story cause it's such a nice time and leaves room for good dreams and separates the busy day from the quiet night, I should mention that not all my children became avid readers.   My 24, 17, and I are avid readers my 24 yr. old was reading war of the worlds in elementary school..my 17 year old never used to take her nose out of a book..she finished Harry Potter in two days when the first one came out..but my 22 yr. old and my 15 yr. hate reading..unless they find something they really like they'll read..usually something about boys/girls relationships..lol...and my 8 year old loves hearing her stories...still struggles with picking up a book though because she gets frustrated she can't read what she wants to be able to read....

Anyhow, I just think it's the greatest thing in the world..and they learn soooo much...it's one of the best things you can do for a child in so many ways.   If I worked in an orphanage I'd want to sit and read to the kids.

I should add..so you know how wierd I am though..I did bring my kids up without a t.v. in the house for the majority of their upbringing.

Answer 2

Tons!!!

1. You get to bond with the kids

2. Kids usually love it

3. When they begin to learn to read for themselves they most likely will be able to do it quite easily

Answer 3

Just make sure you also read to your daughter.  It is really important for her to know that everyone enjoys reading.

My husband never read well out loud even though he is a speed reader.  He always said I did a better job.  Then my son picked up on it and didn't want to read out loud at school, causing negative reports on his reading.

Answer 4

it is rewarding to read your bedtime stores to children because whan they grow up they can have intelligents in their brains

Answer 5

of course its rewarding. common sense will tell u that.

Answer 6

It is very rewarding....almost one of the best times of the day before bedtime. There is just something special about that time, lots of bonding happens over bedtime stories.

Answer 7

I remember well all the stories I read for my boys.It seems like they really want to chat then and they learn from you about a lot of things.So precious!

Answer 8

It is the most wonderful thing in the world.  Good stories with cliff hangers make creative dreaming as well.  It is something the children look forward to all day long, though they don't say it.  

It is a gift of love that is passed down from generation to generation.

T.

Answer 9

It is precious, I love reading to my 1yr son. He smiles as soon as i get a book. It is also great according to research for their language development and later reading skills.

Answer 10

I'm not a parent, but I think it's important. I remember the stories my parents and grandparents read to me and it gives the children good memories.

Answer 11

Very rewarding. The bonding initiated between a mother and daughter during reading can be great.

The knowledge acquired from the reading can also benefit both the daughter as well as the mother in the long run.

Answer 12

My brother does that with his girls every night, he works longer hours than his wife, so she see more of them so this is daddy time, he loves them to pieces, we had a rule in our house right from the word go, we told each other every night that we loved each other and kissed and hugged our parents every night too, and saying goodnight, he has kept this going with his family, so its really beautiful to watch and listen to 'their time', have some on video too, just to remind us and them in future years, its certainly a memorable experience for both parent and child! :)

Answer 13

It is very beautiful...You get that bonding with the child,and expant their imagination,and it is then that they begin thir reading skills...It's such a beautiful moment...I can't wait to do that someday as well...: )