How to Tell the Perfect Bedtime Story

Along with many other parents, getting snuggled up to read a bedtime story has always been an important part of the bedtime routine. Of course it's easy to just pick up any old book and just go through the motions of reading the words, but that isn't really exciting for your little ones (or for yourself either). In this post I'm going to share a few ways to help you tell the perfect bedtime story - so read on if you want to know more!

Choosing the Right Story

It is important that before narrating a story, that you've picked the correct one. It can be really hard to perfectly describe something that does not suit the age of the child or his/her preferences. Also, our own personal preferences play a huge role in that. Maybe you have a preference for classic fairytales that your very young children can not understand. Instead it can be a great idea to let your child help with the story decision, as that way they know that it's a story they are going to enjoy. Of course you can help encourage a certain decision by giving them a selection of 5-10 books to pick from.

Before the Narration

With the best story book chosen, then it is time for that magical moment - the reading! When it's late or your children are not behaving particularly well, it can be easy to rush through the book and not read it properly. And the same can be said if you aren't too keen on the book, or the routine has become just that.

But it is super important to try and give your best when reading each night though, as not only is this a lovely part of the day for you and your children to enjoy, but it's crucial for children's learning too - they learn new words and ways of speaking through reading books! Keep all of this in mind before your start.

Narrative Techniques

Υou don't have to become some kind of actor or wordsmith to read a perfect bedtime story, so don't be afraid to really go for it. Your children will really appreciate the effort! Use different voices for different characters, make sure to follow the text (louder for words in bold, and put emphasis on the words in italics, etc). The tone of your voice should go up and down depending on the intensity or description of the story. You could always change some of the words that you think your children may not understand, if that makes the story telling easier for you too.

Of course, you can always turn to professional content that has been created to provide solutions to the problem of narration. Now ebooks and audiobooks offer a modern solution to storytelling, satisfying every need with fantastic storytelling and productions. Professional voice actors work for the best possible result, using their talent to convey the fairy tale's message. You can discover the different types of narrators at Voquent for every kind of story you need for an excellent and immersive experience for you and your children. Our children love using our Toniebox that is a great way for them to listen to stories at their own pace!

This is a collaborative post.