Toddler Bedtime Stories

Reading bedtime stories, bedtime rhymes and bedtime poems is a very important part of your toddler's bedtime routine. Reading with your toddler is a special time - it's quiet, intimate and a special bonding time for you and your child.

When you are reading stories give yourself time. At the end of the day everyone is tired and it's likely that you are looking forward to the kids all being a sleep so that you have time to yourself! But allow time for some relaxed stories too. If you are rushed your toddler will sense it and is far more likely to want your attention even more. This can then lead to crying and frustration - bad news...

So be careful to allow enough time in your schedule for bedtime stories. And remember that story time can be with Mummy, Daddy or both! Your toddler will love the close contact and one-to-one attention with you.

Choose your bedtime story carefully. Classic stories and fairytales are not always a good choice for a toddler bedtime story. Fairytales and classic stories are often scary and can fire your toddler's imagination unhelpfully! Examples are A Billy Goat's Gruff (trip trap, trip trap....), Snow White (with the scary witch) and Little Red Riding Hood (with the scarey wolf).

Your toddler is likely to have a few favorite stories that he will want you to read again and again. Even though you may find it boring to read the same story yet again find new ways to tell the story so that you can enjoy this time with your child. Again, your toddler will be able to sense if you are bored and uninterested and this could lead to them wanting more of your attention and interest.

Choose toddler books that have pictures in. Your toddler will enjoy hearing about the characters and seeing the characters too in the book. Repetitive books are easy for your toddler to understand and are fun for him. Avoid stories with difficult plots are your toddler will not easily be able to follow it and he could then lose his concentration.

Try making up stories too. It'll be fun for your toddler and for you too! Children love to hear about the times when you were a child, or you can make up stories which involve your children. Make sure the stories have happy endings. Stories with sad endings are upsetting for your child as they do not know what is real and not real. You want them to go to sleep feeling contented, unworried and at ease so make sure your story allows them to do that very easily!

Bedtime rhymes and bedtime poems are alternatives to bedtime storys. Children love to play with words and even toddlers love rhymes. They will enjoy joining in and learning the rhymes and clapping the rhythms.

Allow your toddler to choose his stories sometimes. If your toddler likes to have control then try choosing some stories ahead of bedtime and laying them on his bed. Then at storytime your toddler can choose from the stories on his bed. This allows your toddler to have some independence and control within limits.

Reading stories to your toddler is also great for his general education. You are helping your toddler be interested in books, reading and language. Your child will reap the benefits as he gradually starts to learn letters and eventually how to read.

Where to have stories at bedtime
If your toddler sleeps in a toddler bed which has sides and is not comfortable for you then you may need a big cosy chair that you can both cuddle up into. If you are reading in a chair then have a cosy blanket handy so that your toddler can snuggle in and be warm and cosy whilst he has his bedtime story.

You may want to sit on the side of the bed or snuggle in the bed together to have your story. Try and have your story time in the same place every night so that it's part of the routine and very clear to your toddler what is happening.

If your toddler has a favorite bedtime story we'd love to hear what it is. Send us your favourites via our contact page and we will compile a list of your top recommendations!