post
BLOG AND NEWS

How and Why to Make the Most of Bedtime Reading

Dec 29, 2016
 
 

Blog-Image-Bedtime-Reading-101

Bedtime reading can take children to a safe and enchanted world for a few minutes each night; and when kids are cosy and comfortable, reading aloud to them can help them “de-compress” from any worries from the day. Reading to your child is also a special time to be close to your child and bond with them. A wonderful and magical moment for the two of you to spend together with no interruptions, a precious time in this extremely busy and fast moving world we live in.

 

And as if that weren’t enough … there are several important benefits to their learning, too!

 

Discover how your child’s learning can benefit from bedtime reading, and how you can maximise the value of your nightly sessions:

 

Increased Language and Vocabulary Skills

Many researchers believe that during this night-time ritual, you’re actually boosting your child’s brain development. Parents can use bedtime stories as a stepping stone for conversation in order to enhance a child’s language skills. For example, while reading with a young child, a father might point to Curious George’s baseball cap and ask questions like, “What colour is the hat? Do you have a hat like that? Can you picture what colour it is?”, offering practice connecting language and imagery. Reading with a child will expand their vocabulary even more than just talking with them will. This is true because books introduce kids to ideas and objects—such as porridge or kangaroos—that may not be in their direct environment and therefore not a part of their daily conversations. Look for stories that contain particularly rich or colourful language in order to stimulate your child’s vocabulary.

 

Improved Critical Thinking Skills

You know the phrase well: “One more time, please!” It might seem like this only serves to delay bedtime. But what kids—and parents—may not know is that reading a book repeatedly may help a child develop his critical thinking skills. The first time children hear a book, they may not fully understand what they listened to. But as they hear it again and again, they start to notice patterns and sequences in the story. Children learn the components of a story, they learn how to predict events that happen in a story, and they learn how to recall events in a particular sequence about stories they have heard. You can further this benefit by asking questions after “The End” like, “What do you think will happen next? How do you see that happening?” or “What do you think would have happened if … and what would that have looked like?”

 

By exercising critical thinking skills during bedtime reading, you are providing a skill set that will be beneficial all through their educational years.

 

Development of Reading Comprehension Skills

Most parents think the bedtime story stage is over once their snuggler learns to read. It doesn’t have to be! Continue this ritual and you can help her become an even better reader than she is right now. In fact, it’s during this time that your child develops reading comprehension skills. To ensure that her reading comprehension is intact, ask her what the story was about, or what she thinks will happen next, or how she would end the story differently. This is the time to confirm that your child is reading for meaning. If she doesn’t understand what she’s reading or listening to, she’s lost the meaning. Experts suggest that parents continue the tradition of bedtime reading even into the teenage years. By choosing books that are slightly above a teen’s skill level, you’ll continue to expose them to new words to add to their vocabulary. And books you’re reading with your child can turn into topics of discussion during dinner time conversation, which continues to be a critical time for connecting with your child.

 

Improvement of Reading Skills

As your kids reach the upper-elementary grades, their reading demands increase, yet one-on-one reading instruction for competent readers doesn’t. Listening to you read more advanced books shows her strategies that will help her at school. By listening to the stories that you read, she can see and hear important sight words and learn how to pronounce words correctly. You read aloud with expression. You pause for punctuation. You raise and lower your voice in tune with the action. You speed up or slow down to indicate the degree of tension in the text. All of these components are necessary in order to become independent, global readers.

 

_______________________

 

Bedtime reading can be an opportunity to develop the imagery-language connection as a foundation for your child’s learning skills. However, if you have any concerns about your child’s ability to understand stories, we’re here to help. Contact us for ideas: (02) 9328 7119

Connect with us
📚 Don’t let summer break lead to learning loss!
 Our personalized tutoring in reading and math helps students catch up, get ahead, and return to school with confidence.
👉 Read how our Summer Program can make a difference—link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
At Lindamood-Bell, we believe in the potential of every student, including those with autism. Our unique sensory-cognitive approach develops the foundational skills necessary for success in reading, comprehension, and math.
Because every learner has their own strengths and challenges, we personalize instruction to meet each student’s needs and help them thrive.
Our latest blog explores how autism can affect learning and how the right support can make a lasting impact.
🔗 Read more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
☀️ Summer is the Perfect Time for Learning!
 Help your child build confidence and strong skills with personalized, one-on-one instruction at Lindamood-Bell.

Whether it’s reading, comprehension, or math, we’ll create a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs—and you can see measurable progress in just a few weeks!

🎉 Act now to receive 10% off the first week of summer instruction!

🔗 Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Help Students Shine This Summer - We’re Hiring Educational Clinicians/Tutors!

We’re looking for enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed.
✨ Paid training provided!
Apply now—link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Is your child struggling in school? We can help.
At Lindamood-Bell, our summer instruction can transform reading, comprehension, or math skills in just a few weeks. Choose in-person or live online learning and head into the new school year with stronger skills and renewed confidence.
⏳ Enroll now—summer spots are filling quickly! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Difference This Summer: Join Our Team as an Educational Clinician/Tutor!
We’re hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. 
✨ Paid training included!
Apply now—link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell summer learning can change your child’s life! Our evidence-based instruction improves Reading, Comprehension, and Math in just a few weeks. 
⏳Enroll now for special savings on your first week of summer learning. Hurry, spots are filling fast! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Meaningful Impact This Summer!
Our learning centers are hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding.
✨ Paid training provided!
Apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📢 Attention Educators! Save 20% on In-Person Workshops in San Luis Obispo, CA this June! 🌞
💡 Lindamood-Bell workshops offer evidence-based programs to support students struggling with reading and math, and those diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Ideal for SPED staff, SLPs, MTSS interventionists, paraprofessionals, and tutors.
Use code JOINSLO25 at checkout to save 20%.
 👉 Spaces are limited—sign up today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Summer at Lindamood-Bell can be life-changing for your child!
In just a few weeks, our evidence-based instruction can make a lasting impact in Reading, Comprehension, or Math.
⏳ Enroll now to save on your first week of summer learning!
Spots are filling fast—don’t miss out!
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Parent Perspective on Autism & Reading Challenges 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based approach helped a child with autism overcome reading struggles and the effects of language delays, boosting confidence and skills.
This inspiring story offers hope for families facing similar challenges.
👉 Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Make a difference this summer!
Lindamood-Bell is hiring! We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals with strong communication skills and a desire to help students thrive.
Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding. Paid training provided!
📍Explore openings and apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Why do so many literacy reforms fall short—and what can be done differently?

In our recent webinar, Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development at Lindamood-Bell, explains what’s been missing from past initiatives and how our evidence-based approach is helping close the gap for students across the country.

🎥 Watch the full webinar: “Why Literacy Reform Keeps Failing and What Actually Works”
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Help your child catch up or get ahead with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction! ☀️
Our personalized, one-to-one instruction builds skills in reading, comprehension, and math—for all ages and abilities, in person or live online.

🔍 Evidence-based approach
 🧠 Proven effective for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism & more
 🎉 Fun, confidence-boosting environment

💸 Enroll now and get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer!
⏳ Don’t wait—get the details and save your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required