“Tell me a story” are words that most parent is likely to hear at some point in their life. While many revel in the chance to get creative and put together a fun story for their child, a lot of parents struggle to come up with a good enough story, especially when there are so many great children’s books available. Bedtime stories are beneficial for children in so many ways, helping with brain development, stimulating their imagination and making it easier for them to deal with challenges that arise throughout their lifetime. Getting yourself and your child involved in the creation of a bedtime story is a great way to bond, make the story more personal and enforce positive lessons. Here at Children’s Bed Shop, we’ve put together some helpful tips on how to make up the perfect bedtime story for your child.
Remember the end goal
Before you begin, make sure to keep in mind your end goal - getting your child to sleep! You’ll want to keep your story interesting, but also won’t want to get them too riled up with an overly exciting story. Keep the tone of the tale relaxed and positive, avoiding any references to violence or anything else that could be upsetting.
Keep their interests in mind
Think about your child’s hobbies and interests and try to plan your story around this. For example, if your child is obsessed with horses, incorporate this into the stories plot. Planning the story in this way is likely to grab your child’s attention more easily and make the tale more enjoyable to them.
Make it personal
If you’re stuck for inspiration, try translating real life events from your child’s day into the story. If something particularly happy or fun happened to your child, such as a trip to the zoo, center your plot around this idea. You could even make their pet or favourite cuddly toy the main protagonist, keeping the story personal and saving you the hassle of coming up with a new character!
Let your child drive the plot
Spark your little one’s imagination even further by allowing them to make up the story with you. Doing so is not only a beneficial way to encourage creativity, but it also gives you the chance to get an insight into what your child is thinking, and reveals any anxieties they may be having that need to be resolved.
Finish on a positive note
After any trials and tribulations your character might have faced throughout the story, it’s important to always end on a happy note. Try and also include a subtle lesson in the conclusion. For example, if the main character felt angry about sharing their toys with another character, end the story by reinforcing the idea that sharing is the right thing to do, and makes everyone happy. We hope you take these tips on board and create a bedtime story that will have your little one snoozing in no time! Don’t forget to tuck them into one of our fantastic Children’s Bed Shop beds, in a variety of comfortable and fun styles that make bedtime easier than ever before.
