It’s my favourite time of day.
Bedtime in our house follows a strict routine, always ending with me and both children snuggled together in the ‘big bed’ reading stories. One for him, one for her, whether that is a short book they want to read, or one chapter in a longer book we are currently getting through.
My eldest just turned 10 a few days ago, and yet, we have no plans on ending this bedtime tradition anytime soon.
Why? Because it is so important, both for me and for them. It is our time to wind down. Time to chat. Time to feel calm and close after our hectic days. And time to read, to re.read books and stories we have read a million times before, and also to discover new stories and characters and tales.
However, to many families, it seems like this bedtime ritual has a time limit.
According to new research by the non-profit organisation Book Trust, the number of parents who read to their children significantly falls when children turn 11.
Book Trust, which polled 2,000 parents with children aged between 5 and 11, discovered that on average, 86 percent of parents read to their five-year-olds every day or every other day. But this number drastically drops by the time children reach 11 years old, with only 38 percent of parents admitting to reading with them regularly.
The benefits of reading out loud to children
Over the years, research has shown time and time again just how important shared reading is.
Not only will it benefit reading skills and understanding of words and text, but it can also improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children.
It’s also thought that shared reading is a brilliant way of opening children up to new conversations.
The chief executive at Book Trust, Diana Gerald, said of the research:
‘When children get older and learn to read for themselves, it can be tempting for parents to step back and let them continue their reading adventures alone.
‘However, research shows the enjoyment of reading, developed through shared reading time with parents or carers, have a significant positive impact on a wide range of life outcomes, including social, personal, health and wellbeing, and educational.’
Tell us, do YOU still read to your children at night? Every night? At what point did you stop? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @herfamilydotie
