Suitable bedtime stories for kids include brokeback ones

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Among the methods used by parents to put their small children to sleep are singing the lullabies and reading them bedtime stories.

With the help of story books or simple story telling, the parents would try to 'lull' their child to dreamland by relating tales and stories.

Among the favourite bedtime stories are the local versions of the Mousedeer Tales apart from that which carry messages and lessons like the 'Rabbit and Tortoise', 'Dog and Its Shadow' as well as 'Thirsty Crow'.

Fairy tales from abroad are also among the favourites, such as 'Cinderella', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Arabian Nights'.

IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY

According to an expert on child psychology, the act of reading bedtime stories for small children gives rise to much benefit.

"Bedtime story-telling would make your child to feel comfortable and relaxed. The stories that you relate would build their imagination and as they grow up would bring their creativity to a higher level," she said.

Your child would look forward to this moment as this is the time that they feel they are much closer to their parents.

"These moments would be cherished and remembered by your child for the rest of his or her life. This act would also inculcate the reading habit among them and gives them some enjoyment.

"Bedtime story-telling is something precious as this is the moment when you have some privacy with your child as there is no other disturbances," she said.

SUITABLE STORIES

"Do not tell horror or sad stories as these may affect the child during sleep and may give them nightmares".

Hence, what are the suitable stories?

According to this child expert, no matter how the story is related either by reading a book or simple story-telling, the stories should be ideally something that the child could relate to, not be too long and with some variety.

"You should try to relate to some situation that your child is used to or has experienced. For example, a king that has a naughty prince or someone that has a talking pet like a rabbit or a fish.

"Maybe you can depict a scenario that your child has visited such as the zoo or animal park or maybe a store that sells various toys and the likes. By doing this you would be enriching the images in your child's mind as well their imagination and creativity".

The story should not be too long.

"Ideally the story-telling should last about 20 minutes. The aim of bedtime story-telling is to put your child to sleep. Children want an ending to a story as if they get bored while waiting for the story to end, then the result would be a disappointment.

"If you are reading from a book that has many chapters, try reading from a chapter to another and try to end the story at a segment which gives some sort of conclusion".

OTHER STORIES

Your child may like a certain story book or several short stories. You must exercise patience even if your child repeatedly asked for the same story to be told or the same book to be read.

Maybe you can add some variety to spice up the story-telling by introducing new stories or tell the child the favourite story on alternate nights.

"Give them some choices and they would want several new stories when their age progresses and they would come across new favourite stories".

PICTURE BOOKS

When a child's age advances, he or she too may become a story-teller. At this time, story telling is no longer a 'one-man show' on the part of the parent.

Before they know how to read, it would be good if they are given books with lots of pictures and illustrations.

When a child starts to learn to read, the parent should involve a lot of finger gestures on the story-telling and be willing to listen to any questions posed by the child.

Such interaction is important to strengthen the bond between a parent and the child.

"When your child starts to read out a story, do not disturb or interrupt and let them continue. Refrain from giving negative comments".

Remember that , bedtime story-telling is an important moment for your child.

"Sweet dreams".