Essay On Bedtime Reading

I remember a lot of places that were important to me in my childhood, but my best memories are connected with my home and especially my room. As a child I spent a lot of time there with family or friends. But one thing I really enjoyed doing was coming home in the evening and spending time with my aunt. She was an amazing woman that really loved children, and she was always playing with me and telling fascinating stories. The most valuable thing I was patiently waiting for all day long was a traditional bedtime reading with my aunt, and I have carried on this habit since then, as now I spend the evenings with my children reading before they fall asleep.
I remember the days I was reading in bed with my aunt as if it happened yesterday, mainly because I experience the joy of reading to my kids today and it reminds me of those times. At first, the aunt was reading to me some simple classic tales. We were lying together in bed, and she continued reading until I fell asleep. As the experience was absolutely new for me and as I was a little and easily impressed child, the tales fascinated me and inspired to learn how to read at a very early age. I was so charmed by all the characters and their unusual destinies that I was eager to start deducing the stories out of the books by myself. Nevertheless, I learned how to read in a short time, the bedtime reading has become the charming ritual and I did not normally go to bed without at least half an hour spent reading or listening to aunt’s reading. My aunt and I were reading each other stories all evening long, and when we got tired from the fantastic plots we began making up our own tales featuring people we knew, as well as fictional creatures and magic lands. I think that the experience of bedtime reading was the main factor that influenced my reading habits in the future, as even now I consider myself to be an avid reader, and find it difficult to go to bed without spending at least a little time reading either some fictional or non-fictional literary work.
I always dreamt of continuing the tradition of bedtime reading with my children. My boys are very active and spend the day in constant movement, so the calming experience of lying in bed and listening to the stories I read is a perfect activity after the busy day and helps them to fall asleep. At first, they were not really happy, but now I believe that they truly enjoy the evening ritual, as we lie together in bed and choose the book or story they like to let the magic start. I think it is important to choose wisely what exactly is read, as the practice has a potential of developing future reading habits and taste. Sometimes I choose the stories by myself, but most of the time I let my sons to decide what they want to read, as their interest is the most valuable part of the bedtime ritual.
Bedtime reading is not just a chance to introduce the literature to children, and not just a way to calm them down before sleep. It is a family tradition that creates closer connections and intimacy, while giving a special place in the house a sense of sanctuary, Child’s bed and a room become places, where the magic is real, and where a conversation between family members is flowing naturally. Moreover, if the bedtime reading becomes a habit, it positively influences children’s self-control and time management, as they get more organized. Story time gives children a chance to develop good memory and fantasy, reading and listening skills that are crucial for their personal development and future growth as a person. Bedtime storytelling is a rewarding family activity that is a perfect way of educating children and creating the atmosphere of trust and safety at home.