While you were reading

MANILA, Philippines - Bedtime storytelling is an age-old tradition that generations upon generations of children have enjoyed with their moms. And storytelling isn’t merely a way to get a restless child to go to sleep; story time plays a significant role in a child’s overall development. It also contributes to the relationship he has with his mom.

Dr. Sheila Viesca, CEO and chief editor of The Talkshop, says, “Bedtime storytelling forges the bond between the mother and the child. This bonding experience makes the child more confident and self-assured. At this time when both reader and listener are most relaxed, they reach out to each other and exchange ideas as like-minded individuals talking about the same ‘world.’”

She also says that bedtime provides a conducive and relaxing atmosphere for learning and developing a child’s language skills, as well as his awareness of the world around him.

“This is a great opportunity for the mom to introduce the child not only to new words that will build his vocabulary, but also to values visualized in the stories, that will eventually form his character,” Viesca adds.

Bedtime storytelling also helps enhance a child’s creativity. Viesca stresses on how it all ties into his character development: “They learn to listen and react both openly and silently. When the mom talks to the child, the schema is formed for him to build on new information night after night, until the habit of thinking — questioning, understanding, listening, interacting, reading — becomes an integral part of his character.”

It’s a well-known fact that most children have a couple of books they want read to them over and over again. Viesca says that mom should not tire of this. “Reading the same book reinforces reading skills, word recall and vocabulary building.”

A child’s physical development is also encouraged. Colorful books with attractive characters are visually stimulating. Books with different textures stimulate his sense of touch. Even the simple act of flipping pages of a book help fine-tune motor skills.

How early can a mom start bedtime storytelling? Viesca says it can begin as early as the pre-natal stage, when a mom’s tonality becomes in sync with a child’s rhythm.

“Without realizing it, mom enriches the child’s being with a sense of security and nurturance that will help him become a more active and involved performer in many areas of his life. During the toddler to pre-school years, right values and love for learning are both reinforced as the mom continues to read bedtime stories to the child,” explains Viesca.