Struggle With Bedtime? 3 Story Books to Help Your Pre-Schooler Sleep
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
Bedtime can be quite an ordeal for both parents and children. But it doesn’t have to be. How would you like to subtly manipulate your cute little angels into drifting off to lala land? How about a soothing bedtime story to condition their tiny little brains to sleep?
Ah, if falling asleep were as easy as that boy who barely reached his bed, most parents would rejoice. But it’s not. Children need a bit of uhh, assistance (aka manipulation), to help them call it a night. And I don’t mean cough medicine to make ‘em kids drowsy! Simple books can do the trick.
Here are 3 bedtime story books that can help you condition your child to sleep.
1. 1 to 10 by Disney Babies
Why not throw in a little math lesson before your child drifts off to lala land? This is appropriate for toddlers who are learning to count and pre-schoolers learning to read. It’s a short book that (surprise) counts objects throughout the story.
Bonus? When you get to the end, you count stars and get to see the little Disney characters fast asleep. Great signal for the young one to shut her eyes, just as the characters do in the book.
2. Sleep Tight by Child’s Play
This is my son’s absolute favorite! The book has a real blanket attached to it so your kiddo can tuck-in characters. It’s a great interactive book. Watch your kiddo say goodnight to giraffe, turtle, monkey, kitten and then finally to the main character.
If the repetitious act of tucking-in does not drive the point to your kid, I don’t know what will.
3. I Love You This Much: A Song of God’s Love by Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan
Don’t worry, this entails no singing. However, if you want to, go ahead. A lullaby can definitely be soothing to a young child.
The story tells of a mother’s love for her child from the minute he wakes up until he sleeps. Of course, as usual, you can find the best part in the end: the one that signals your child that it’s time to sleep.
Reading books with your child is not only a great bonding experience, but a great bedtime ritual as well. It tells her that it’s time to get her well-deserved rest, so that mommy and daddy can sleep too.
Oh, and on the off chance that your child is still restless after reading these books, let Ernie & Bert tell her how important sleep is. I’m sure she’ll listen to their advice.
What about you, got any favorite books you read before bedtime? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Photo:Creative Commons from Michael Bentley
Video:
Youtube from AHEDVD01