Our babies’ development is of paramount importance. We make it a point to find ways in aiding them with their progress. Reading aloud sweet bedtime stories to our babies is just one of those ways.
My babies have a wide array of books as they love them too much. They prefer books over play even up until they were old enough to enjoy playing with their friends.
Reading aloud to our babies has great benefits and is strongly backed by science.
Studies have shown that when you read aloud bedtime stories (or any book for that matter) to your babies, it helps them develop their language and communication skills.
Kids Health has a really good article about reading books to babies that you might want to check out. The article was also reviewed by a pediatrician named Dr. Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, so you can rest assured that you would be reading an in-depth and well-written post.
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The Benefits of Reading Bedtime Stories to your Babies
There are several awesome benefits of reading books to your little ones and the following are just a few them:
Encourages imagination
Flipping through those colorful pages and looking at those stimulating illustrations can help foster a baby’s imagination. You and I both can agree to that.
I found this statement from a parenting website and I couldn’t help but nod, “A child with a good imagination is happier and more alert, better able to cope with life’s twists and turns, and more likely to grow into a well-adjusted, secure adult.”
Lengthens attention span
When a child is being read to again and again at a very young age, chances are he gets habituated to it leading him to be more attentive.
Increases memory
A study suggests that exercising your brain like reading books is important for brain health especially when you get older.
The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation found out through Dr. Robert S. Wilson that keeping your brain stimulated through mentally engaging tasks such as reading starting from childhood can help keep your memory and thinking skills intact.
Develops communication skills
Reading to our babies can help build and expand their vocabulary. When they are read to a lot, they learn a variety of words that will make them better communicators in the future.
Strengthens emotional bond
Imagine sitting on a recliner with your baby on your lap. That’s a sweet and intimate moment you share with your child right there.
Now imagine doing it over and over again.
That, on its own, establishes a deeper connection with your baby. When a deeper connection is built, a stronger emotional bond will follow.
Improves motor skills
Allow your baby to turn the pages. This will exercise the smaller muscles in his hands, enhancing his fine motor skills.
Nurtures a positive behavior
As your baby is still very little, you will want to only read books that promote positivity. Teach him right from wrong at an early age.
Introduce him to positive behavior like reading this board book about kindness right here.
Inspires a love for reading
Babies tend to love the sound of words even before they recognize them printed on paper.
Reading can be as natural as talking or walking when started really early. So start them young and make reading a part of your babies’ lives now.
How to Pick the Best Bedtime Stories for your Babies
Choose bedtime stories (or any baby book) with vibrant illustrations that offer beautiful and sweet rhyming words.
Like nursery rhymes, books with enticing poetry tend to draw babies in quite easily.
15 Bedtime Stories that are Worth the Splurge
Indulge your little goober, not just with plenty of night time cuddles, but also with good quality bedtime stories. Here is a list of the best bedtime stories my babies and I enjoy together:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
This book is our absolute favorite at home because my kids can just easily fall asleep to it.
The Going to Bed Book
by Sandra Boynton
This is a classic (created in the 1980’s) with a lot of words that rhyme, making it very pleasing to read out loud. Your baby will totally love it!
Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
If you are an adult who just read it for the first time, you will think this board book is silly. However, after reading it multiple times to my babies, I discovered why little kids love it.
This bedtime storybook was one of the reasons why my babies were quick to identify certain objects even at a very young age.
Ten Little Night Stars
by Deb Gruelle
This bedtime board book will encourage your babies to turn the page. It is very engaging and the rhyming words are just music to the ears.
On the Night You Were Born
by Nancy Tillman
Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor, was quoted saying praises about this book. She said, “Detailed illustrations, paired with a warm message of unconditional love, make this bestselling board book a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf.”
I must admit… I couldn’t agree with her more.
Related: Baby Bath Time [Essentials and Step-by-Step Guide]
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
If your little one is crazy about trucks or anything of that kind, this will be perfect for him. It’s colorful art and beautiful language are so soothing, he won’t be able to resist bedtime.
If Animals Kissed Good Night
by Ann Whitford Paul
Perfect for bedtime snuggles, you must include this in your bedtime story collection. Your baby will love the playful but sweet rhyming words and fantastic illustrations in this board book.
Snuggle Time Prayers
by Glenys Nellist
Snuggle Time Prayers is an excellent bedtime board book that will help your baby settle down for bed and be reminded of how much God loves him.
God Bless You and Good Night
by Hannah Hall
This bedtime storybook is a Christian fiction with comforting and sweet rhymes. With its adorable illustrations, it will be on its way to be a favorite bedtime routine for both you and your little one.
I Prayed for You
by Jean Fischer
I Prayed for You is a powerful Christian bedtime storybook. You will be teaching your little baby how to pray while being nestled in your arms to sleep.
Sweet Dreams Lullaby
by Betsy E. Snyder
Sweet Dreams Lullaby is a soothing and whimsical board book that will invite your little baby to imagine heartwarming scenes in beautiful dreamland. This is such a captivating bedtime story you must never miss.
Related: First Few Weeks with a Newborn [Survival Guide]
Sleepyheads
by Sandra J. Howatt
This endearing and lovable board book is another excellent choice for a bedtime read. It will be great in preparing your little munchkin for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Night Night Farm
by Roger Priddy
This one is another perfect read to prepare your little one to a comfy night’s sleep. He will learn to say his own soft and peaceful “Night-Night” by the help of these farm animals in no time.
The Goodnight Train
by June Sobel
The creator really did a great job on this storybook. As it is packed with irresistible words and magical characters, your most unwilling little sleeper will have no choice but to lie close to you on his little bed.
Pajama Time!
by Sandra Boynton
Another great bedtime book by the very talented Sandra Boynton, this good-night book has beautiful illustrations and a chirpy language your baby can’t resist.
How to Get Free Bedtime Stories or Children’s Books
If in any case you would rather get FREE children’s books, take time to check out Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It is a program that sends free books to children from birth to age five within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
You can check if you are close to a participating community here and if you are, go ahead and register your babies. They mail books to your door (or post office box) every month! Awesome, isn’t it?
Related article: Newborn Baby Routine [+Free Printable Schedule]
A little friendly reminder: Always keep the read light and fun. Work on those facial expressions!
Final Words to Baby Bedtime Stories
I don’t know about you, but there is this feeling of security in me when I know that my kids will be good communicators and that their thinking skills will be preserved better just because I read to them since they were little.
I urge you to do the same. It will all be worth it in the end.
Thank you for stopping by! You might want to check out some related articles about baby before you go.
Talk to you soon,
15 of the Most Amazing Bedtime Stories for Babies
I love your take on bedtime stories. Of course all my 3 daughters are grown now, but I shall never forget the precious memories of reading bedtime stories to them. Yes, it does make a difference in their learning abilities, but not only that, it helped them with a positive attitude throughout life.
You are so right, Beth. A positive attitude throughout life is what this world needs. Less cruelty equals happier world! So mamas, keep reading bedtime stories to your little babies! You are doing this world a favor!
Thank you for your comment, Beth!