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Bedtime Stories: A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Imagination and Strengthening Bonds
Introduction:
Are you tired of the same old bedtime routine? Does the thought of another night of coaxing your little one to sleep fill you with dread? Then this comprehensive guide is for you! We'll delve into the world of bedtime stories, exploring their incredible benefits for both parents and children. This isn't just about quieting a restless child; it's about building stronger bonds, fostering imagination, and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. This post will equip you with the knowledge and resources to make bedtime story time a truly magical experience, addressing everything from choosing the right books to creating engaging storytelling techniques. We'll cover age-appropriate selections, handling interruptions, and even creating your own unique stories. Get ready to transform your bedtime routine from a chore into a treasured ritual!
1. The Power of Bedtime Stories: Beyond Just Sleep
Bedtime stories offer far more than just a pathway to slumber. They are a crucial element in a child's development, impacting their language skills, cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, and the parent-child bond. Let's explore these benefits in detail:
Language Development: Exposure to rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures expands a child's linguistic horizons, laying the groundwork for future literacy success.
Cognitive Development: Stories stimulate imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Children learn to follow narratives, anticipate outcomes, and understand different perspectives.
Emotional Development: Stories offer a safe space to explore complex emotions, like fear, sadness, and anger. They provide opportunities to discuss feelings and learn coping mechanisms.
Bonding and Connection: The shared experience of reading or telling a story creates a special connection between parent and child, fostering feelings of love, security, and trust. This intimate moment strengthens the parent-child bond significantly.
Improved Sleep Quality: While not a guaranteed sleep inducer, a calming bedtime story can help relax a child and prepare them for sleep, reducing bedtime anxieties.
2. Choosing the Right Bedtime Story: Age-Appropriate Selections
Selecting the right book is crucial for a positive experience. Consider your child's age and interests when making your choice.
Infants (0-12 months): Focus on board books with simple, repetitive text and bright, engaging images. The emphasis is on sensory exploration and interaction.
Toddlers (1-3 years): Choose books with short, simple sentences, familiar themes, and repetitive phrases. Interactive books with flaps or textures are particularly engaging.
Preschoolers (3-5 years): Introduce more complex narratives, longer sentences, and a wider range of characters and settings. Look for stories that encourage imagination and problem-solving.
Early Elementary (5-8 years): Explore chapter books with longer narratives, more developed characters, and richer vocabulary. Choose stories that align with your child's interests, whether it's animals, fantasy, or adventure.
Remember to consider the illustrations as well. High-quality illustrations can enhance the storytelling experience and capture a child's attention.
3. Mastering the Art of Storytelling: Engaging Techniques for Bedtime
Simply reading the words isn't enough. Infuse your storytelling with emotion, character voices, and engaging gestures.
Vary your tone and pace: Use different voices for different characters, making the story come alive.
Use expressive gestures: Bring the characters and their actions to life with your body language.
Incorporate sound effects: Add playful sounds to enhance the experience, like animal noises or the swish of a sword.
Encourage interaction: Ask questions to keep your child engaged and involved in the story.
Don't be afraid to improvise: If your child wants to change the story's direction, go with the flow! Spontaneity can make the experience even more memorable.
4. Handling Interruptions and Challenges: Strategies for Smooth Sailing
Even the best-laid plans can hit a snag. Be prepared to handle potential interruptions and challenges gracefully.
Bathroom breaks: Establish a pre-bedtime routine that includes a bathroom visit.
Thirst or hunger: Have a glass of water readily available.
Fears or anxieties: Acknowledge your child's feelings and reassure them.
Sibling rivalry: Ensure that each child receives individual attention and has their own special bedtime story.
Resistance: Be patient and persistent. Try a different book or storytelling approach.
5. Creating Your Own Bedtime Stories: Unleashing Your Inner Storyteller
One of the most rewarding aspects of bedtime stories is creating your own. Let your imagination run wild!
Start with a simple premise: A princess, a dragon, a lost toy – anything can spark a story.
Involve your child: Ask for their input on characters, settings, and plot points.
Keep it simple and repetitive: This makes it easier for young children to follow along.
Focus on positive themes: Emphasize kindness, courage, and perseverance.
Don't worry about perfection: The most important thing is to have fun and connect with your child.
6. Beyond Books: Exploring Alternative Bedtime Story Approaches
Expanding beyond traditional books opens up a world of creative storytelling opportunities.
Audiobooks: A great option for busy parents or children who enjoy listening.
Podcasts: Many podcasts offer engaging stories specifically designed for children.
Online storytelling platforms: Websites and apps offer a vast library of bedtime stories.
Puppet shows: Use puppets to bring your stories to life.
Family storytelling: Take turns telling stories based on family experiences or personal anecdotes.
Sample Bedtime Story Outline: "The Magical Rainbow Bridge"
Introduction: Introduces Lily, a curious little girl who discovers a shimmering rainbow bridge in her backyard.
Chapter 1: Lily bravely crosses the bridge, encountering friendly woodland creatures along the way.
Chapter 2: Lily helps the creatures solve a problem, demonstrating kindness and resourcefulness.
Chapter 3: Lily returns home, sharing her adventures with her family. The rainbow bridge magically disappears as the sun sets, leaving behind a sense of wonder and gratitude.
Conclusion: Lily falls asleep, dreaming of her magical adventure, reinforcing the importance of kindness and courage.
9 Unique FAQs:
1. How long should a bedtime story be? The length should be appropriate for your child's age and attention span. Start short and adjust based on their engagement.
2. What if my child doesn't want a bedtime story? Try different approaches, different books, or even let them choose the story. Respect their preferences while gently encouraging the activity.
3. My child is afraid of the dark. How can bedtime stories help? Choose stories that address fears directly or that promote feelings of safety and security.
4. What if I can't read well? Don't let that stop you! Tell stories from memory or use audiobooks.
5. My child interrupts the story constantly. What can I do? Try to gently redirect their attention back to the story, or incorporate their interruptions into the narrative.
6. Are screen-based bedtime stories okay? While convenient, limit screen time before bed as the blue light can interfere with sleep.
7. Can bedtime stories help with nightmares? Choosing comforting stories with positive themes can alleviate anxiety and promote restful sleep.
8. How can I make bedtime story time a special ritual? Create a consistent routine, choose a cozy spot, and make eye contact with your child to build connection.
9. What if my child wants the same story every night? While repetitive, familiarity can be comforting. Try subtly altering the storytelling or incorporating new elements to keep things engaging.
9 Related Articles:
1. The Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children: Explores the various developmental advantages of shared reading.
2. Choosing Age-Appropriate Books for Your Child: Provides a detailed guide on selecting suitable books for different age groups.
3. Creating a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Offers advice on creating a calming pre-sleep environment.
4. Overcoming Bedtime Resistance in Children: Addresses common challenges faced by parents during bedtime.
5. Teaching Children to Read: Effective Strategies and Resources: Offers tips for parents helping their children develop reading skills.
6. The Importance of Imagination in Child Development: Discusses the role of imagination in cognitive and emotional growth.
7. How to Tell Engaging Bedtime Stories: Provides practical tips and techniques for captivating storytelling.
8. Bedtime Stories for Specific Fears and Anxieties: Offers story suggestions for children struggling with common fears.
9. Building a Strong Parent-Child Bond Through Bedtime Stories: Highlights the role of storytelling in strengthening family connections.
| bedtime stories parents guide: Parental Guide to Bedtime Stories from the Barn Beverly A. Stubblefield Ph. D., 2022-07-07 The PARENTAL GUIDE, a companion to BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE BARN and MORE BEDTIME STORIES FROM THE BARN, presents psychological principles and techniques mentioned in the bedtime stories that help parents and children learn effective coping skills to deal with today’s issues. The PARENTAL GUIDE is designed to help answer children’s questions generated by the bedtime stories. Covered in the PARENTAL GUIDE are topics based on the bedtime stories, including Anger Management, Depression, Active Listening, Anxiety, Abandonment, Grief, Divorce, Bullying, Obedience, Caring and Compassion, and Forgiveness. Specific scripture verses and bedtime stories for each topic are identified in the PARENTAL GUIDE. A glossary of “horse” words is provided to better understand the horses’ world depicted in the bedtime stories. The PARENTAL GUIDE is also a helpful resource family therapists can recommend to their clients to facilitate the therapeutic process at home. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Beyond Bedtime Stories V. Susan Bennett-Armistead, Nell K. Duke, Annie M. Moses, 2014-08 While most parents understand the importance of promoting literacy in their young children, they often aren't sure how to do it. This book provides guidance. Taking a literacy-throughout-the-day approach, the authors organize the book around spaces in the home-the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and so forth-and suggest fun, stimulating activities for building children's reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in those spaces. Filled with tips, photos, milestones to watch for, and great ideas to try today, Beyond Bedtime Stories is essential reading. For use with Grades Infant-K. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Parent's Guide to Storytelling Margaret Read MacDonald, 2001 A quick and easy guide to storytelling for parents and grandparents. Includes nineteen easy-to-tell stories and lists of story sources to help find more. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Storybound Marissa Burt, 2012-04-03 When Una Fairchild stumbles upon a mysterious book buried deep in the basement of her school library, she thinks nothing of opening the cover and diving in. But instead of paging through a regular novel, Una suddenly finds herself Written In to the land of Story—a world filled with Heroes and Villains and fairy-tale characters. But not everything in Story is as magical as it seems. Una must figure out why she has been Written In—and fast—before anyone else discovers her secret. Together with her new friend Peter and a talking cat named Sam, Una digs deep into Story's shadowy past. She quickly realizes that she is tied to the world in ways she never could have imagined—and it might be up to her to save it. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to Getting Kids Out of the Family Bed Lawrence E. Shapiro, 2008 This workbook presents a 21 day program for parents to move their children back into their own bedrooms and to end the wanderings of ambulatory sleepers. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Princess Academy Shannon Hale, 2013-06-06 This New York Times bestseller and Newbery-Honor-winning fantasy novel is a compelling, warm and witty story of would-be princesses and one small but determined girl's destiny in the face of powerful social conventions.Fourteen-year-old Miri lives in a poor mountain village which survives by quarrying stone. Then comes a surprise announcement that the prince of the country is to choose his bride from among the village girls. So all the eligible girls are taken to an academy to prepare for potential life as a princess.But Miri soon finds herself at odds with the strict tutor and begins to feel less sure about being chosen as the princess, especially as her feelings for her childhood friend Peder start to grow. Instead she quickly becomes fascinated by what she learns about the world around her and begins to form her own plans about how to improve her lot and that of her village.Miri is a wonderfully inspiring heroine whose adventures will keep readers hooked from start to finish. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Parent's Guide to Standardized Tests for Grades 3-5 Cynthia Johnson, Drew Johnson, 2003 Kaplan now offers an indispensable tool for parents who want to help their elementary-school child perform well on standardized tests. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Kipper's Bedtime Mick Inkpen, 2000-03 What does Kipper need to get ready for bed? Find the right spot for each chunky colorful bedtime shape! |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Love-Centered Parenting Crystal Paine, 2021-03-16 Do you worry that you're messing up your kids? Do you get stressed when you think about their futures? New York Times bestselling author Crystal Paine knows how you feel. A mom of four, Crystal has struggled with anxiety over parenting. She wanted to parent with grace, instead of a system of rules where kids are expected to do all the right things. She wanted to be a safe place for her children, and she definitely didn't want to be remembered as the sort of mom who yelled, wounded her kids with words, or worse, cared more about her reputation than her kids' hearts. In this book, Crystal shares the life-changing lessons that God has been teaching her about raising kids with love and grace. In Love-Centered Parenting, Crystal will · reveal the no-fail secret to launching your kids · uncover the root of why we often feel so frustrated and irritated with our kids · share the four most important choices we can make as parents · give you the tools to keep going when you want to give up · help you get your kids to talk to you It is possible to parent from a place of freedom and rest, giving your kids what they truly need to thrive in this world. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: HOW TO MAKE MY CHILD SPEAK : Parent’s Guide to Enhancing Speech and Language Skills Roshan JC, 2024-04-26 “HOW TO MAKE MY CHILD SPEAK: Parent’s Guide to Enhancing Speech and Language Skills” is a comprehensive guide designed to empower parents in nurturing their child’s speech and language development. This book is an invaluable resource for parents navigating the complex world of speech and language disorders. The book begins with an introduction to speech and language development, explaining the differences between the two. While “speech” refers to the physical production of sounds and words, “language” is a broader concept that involves expressing and receiving information. The guide provides a series of predictable milestones in children’s speech and language development. Recognizing and understanding these milestones can empower parents to support their children’s communication skills and identify potential issues early on. The book also offers practical strategies to enhance your child’s speech development. These include reading to your child to familiarize them with the sounds and rhythms of language, using flashcards to aid visual memory and vocabulary skills, and singing nursery rhymes to help with memorization and articulation. Moreover, the book addresses the challenges parents may face, such as balancing therapy sessions, follow-up activities, and regular life commitments. It acknowledges the costs, both direct and indirect, that can weigh heavily on families. Despite these challenges, the book emphasizes that every strategy learned, every hour spent in therapy, and every dollar invested converges into one outcome—helping your child find their voice, express themselves, and lead a fulfilling life. This guide is not just for parents, but also for caregivers and educators. It serves as a reminder that you’re not just a parent; you’re an advocate, a learner, and the most significant supporter your child could ever have. In conclusion, “HOW TO MAKE MY CHILD SPEAK: Parent’s Guide to Enhancing Speech and Language Skills” is more than just a book; it’s a transformative journey that enriches lives in unimaginable ways. Welcome to this transformative journey. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Original Storyteller Robert Carnes, 2017-09-22 Tell better stories in 30 days. Stories are everywhere. They are the common theme shared by all people. They exist in every language, culture, time period and nation. Stories engage and entertain. They create emotion and empathy. Stories unite and connect. But why? What makes stories so powerful? Why are they so universal? How is a good story able to penetrate the distractions of a busy world? What causes a story to activate the minds of people anywhere? The Original Storyteller seeks to answer those questions through the lens of God's stories. He is the first and best storyteller. His stories reveal the essence of all great stories. Take the 30-day journey towards becoming a better storyteller. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to Autism Diagnosis Adele Devine, Sophia Mooncey, 2021-11-18 Autism diagnosis can be an overwhelming time for many families. This is an accessible, easy to navigate guide for parents, answering the questions they may have before, during and after diagnosis. Written by a highly experienced author team, this book will support parents from the moment somebody mentions autism, through the diagnosis process and beyond. It provides reliable advice on every stage, with guidance on what to do during the long wait for assessment and diagnosis. Working from a pro-neurodiversity perspective it encourages parents to see beyond the diagnosis and to celebrate each child's unique personality and strengths. Combining information on medical diagnosis, educational needs and more, the book shares case studies and direct quotes from families to help parents to give their children the best start following an autism diagnosis, and help them to achieve their full potential. There is also a bonus downloadable chapter with information from the key professionals involved in the diagnostic process, so you know who you can turn to for the support and help you need. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Conscious Parent's Guide To ADHD Rebecca Branstetter, 2015-11-06 An integrative method for helping children focus and learn! If your child has been given a diagnosis of ADHD, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. With The Conscious Parent's Guide to ADHD, you will learn how to take a relationship-centered approach to parenting that engages your child and ensures that he succeeds behaviorally, socially, and cognitively. Conscious parenting is about being present with your child and taking the time to understand how to help him flourish. By practicing this mindful method, you can support your child emotionally and help nurture his development. With this all-in-one guide, you can create a plan that not only addresses the challenges a child with ADHD faces, but also creates a mindful, less stressful atmosphere for the whole family. You'll be able to: Honor your child's unique learning style Adapt a conscious parenting philosophy that works for everyone Understand treatment options and weigh the pros and cons of medication Lower stress levels for the entire family, including other siblings Learn how a mindful approach can be combined with other treatments Help your child focus at home and school Focus on your child's strengths as well as weaknesses Encourage your child to achieve his goals When both you and your child are more mindful and relaxed, your child can learn to focus, gain independence, and thrive both in school and out. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Everything Parents' Guide to ADHD in Children Carole Jacobs, Isadore Wendel, 2010-06-18 A roadmap to a common--but complicated--disorder. Is there a cure for ADHD? What symptoms should you be looking for? Could your child be misdiagnosed? When your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you want to do all you can to get the help you need to support your child. Unfortunately, the vast amount of information on ADHD can be overwhelming and leave you feeling frustrated, stressed, and powerless to help. But with the professional, accessible advice presented here, you can get the one-stop support you need to: Obtain and understand a diagnosis Find the right treatment Discipline your child effectively Get your child to focus at home and school Stay positive, and encourage your child This guide provides an all-encompassing look at ADHD so that you can feel confident about taking the necessary steps to create a better future for your child. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Parents' Guide to Clubfoot Betsy Miller, 2011 Covers all aspects of clubfoot in babies and children, from diagnosis to treatment. Includes a short children's story about clubfoot. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Goose Girl Shannon Hale, 2010-05-03 'Hale's writing is beautiful, with a vivid eye for detail' Daily Telegraph Anidora-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kilindree, spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt's incredible stories, and learning the language of the birds. Little knowing how valuable her aunt's strange knowledge would prove to be when she grew older. From the Grimm's fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become a queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must understand her own incredible talents before she can overcome those who wish her harm. Shannon Hale has drawn on her incredible gift for storytelling to create a powerful and magical grown-up fairytale. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Parents on Board Parent's Guide Michael H. Popkin, Bettie B. Youngs, Jane M. Healy, 1995 Supportive and creative ways to help your child learn. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Bedtiming: The Parent's Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep at Just the Right Age Isabela Granic, Marc D. Lewis, 2010-01-12 When it comes to getting your baby or toddler to sleep through the night, discover why when matters more than how Are you tired of endless hours spent rocking your baby to sleep? Have you “hit the wall” when it comes to sleepless nights? Teaching your baby or toddler to sleep through the night can be a bewildering and frustrating experience. Developmental psychologists Marc D. Lewis and Isabela Granic reveal that the key to your child’s sleep habits is not which method you choose to help your child sleep, but when you use it. Timing is everything, and Bedtiming walks you through the stages of child development, offering helpful advice on such topics as: • time windows when sleep-training will be most effective and when it will stand the least chance of success • the pros and cons of several popular sleep-training techniques—including the “cry-it-out,” “no-cry,” and Ferber methods • common sleep setbacks and how to handle them • how to successfully transition your child from your bed to his or her own crib or bed. Bedtiming is a simple, sensible, and reassuring guide that will help children—and parents—get a good night’s sleep. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Parents Guide to Third Grade Instruction , 2001 |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Mousie, I Will Read to You Rachael Cole, 2018-11-13 Like Rosemary Wells's Read to Your Bunny and with the charm of The Wonderful Things You Will Be, this gorgeous book will surely appeal to families who want their children to become lifelong readers. Long before the words make sense, Mousie, I will read to you The simplest story, about an acorn that drops to the ground. So begins this warm and poignant picture book that follows a mama mouse and her baby mouse on the little mouse's journey to becoming a reader--from infancy, to toddlerhood, to elementary school, and beyond. When Mousie is little, Mama sings him lullabies about the sky, repeats back his DA DA DEES and BA BA BEES, and reads him poems and stories about wonderful things like forests and bears. Then one day, on a playground next to the library, Mousie sounds out a word, then two, then three . . . and a reader is born! Inspired by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to read aloud to your children from the day they are born, here is a charming picture book that celebrates families reading together. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: November Blues Sharon M. Draper, 2009-05-19 When November Nelson loses her boyfriend, Josh, to a pledge stunt gone horribly wrong, she thinks her life can't possibly get any worse. But Josh left something behind that will change November's life forever, and now she's faced with the biggest decision she could ever imagine. How in the world will she tell her mom? And how will Josh's parents take the news? She's never needed a friend more. Jericho Prescott lost his best friend when he lost his cousin, Josh, and the pain is almost more than he can bear. His world becomes divided into before and after Josh's death. He finds the only way he can escape the emptiness he feels is to quit doing the things that made him happy when his cousin was alive, such as playing his beloved trumpet, and take up football, where he hopes the physical pain will suppress the emotional. But will hiding behind shoulder pads really help? And will his gridiron obsession prevent him from being there for his cousin's girlfriend when she needs him most? This sequel to The Battle of Jericho is a no-holds-barred look at what happens when life doesn't go as planned, by the acclaimed author of the 2007 Coretta Scott King Award winner Copper Sun. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children James T. Webb, 2007 Practical guidance in key areas of concern for parents, such as peer relations, siblings, motivation and underachievement, discipline, intensity and stress, depression, education planning, and finding professional help. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Parents' Guide to Boys Abigail James, 2012-11-28 Raising a boy poses unique challenges. This entertaining and informative user’s manual will help you work with your son to prepare him for school. Abigail James’s experiences as a teacher, mother of a son, and lifelong learner confirm her belief that parents want to give their children the best preparation for life they possibly can. If you have a son—or know someone who’s raising a boy—here’s the book you’ve been looking for. Its clear, practical advice will guide you through preparing your child for school and for life. Packed with activities you can implement immediately, humorous examples you’ll remember forever, and wisdom Abigail has acquired in the trenches, The Parents’ Guide to Boys is a book you’ll quote often and go back to again and again. No matter whether your son is eight months or eighteen years old, Abigail has tips for giving him a great head start, keeping him engaged in the classroom, and creating a happy, self-sufficient young man. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Ginger Charlotte Voake, 2008 Ginger is a very calm and contented cat. He lives with a little girl who takes perfect care of him. But one day she brings home a naughty little black kitten and Ginger's blissful world is turned upside down! |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Everything Parent's Guide to Raising Boys Cheryl L Erwin, 2010-11-18 Potty training. Violent video games. Dating! Raising a son is a wonderful adventure--but it can also be a challenge. You worry about your son's self-image, his values, his relationship with them--and with others. You want your son to succeed and grow into a capable young man, but how can you make sure that happens? This comprehensive guide shows you how to help your son: Strengthen his self-image and resist peer pressure Identify and exhibit acceptable behaviors Build friendships and relationships Succeed in school--and beyond Raising a son is no easy task. But with patience, perseverance, and this guide, you can see your son through challenging times and take pride in his successful transition from boy to man. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Living Literacy at Home Margaret Mary Policastro, 2016-03-04 Reading to children at home is a joyful and celebratory time for parents and children alike. Both relish in the story and the time spent together. Early exposure to texts provides other benefits as well because it prepares children for school and builds a love of reading. Living Literacy at Home provides tips and strategies to help parents build those connections. Included is a snapshot of what literacy looks like in today?s classroom and support on how to make that home-to-school connection, how to build a home library and develop a reading routine, and how to make every day a literacy-rich day. Easy-to-use forms and a glossary of literacy terms round out this resource. Although the book is intended for parents of children in kindergarten through grade 8, the routines and suggestions can be easily adapted for any grade level. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Read, Rhyme, and Romp Heather McNeil, 2012-06-26 Designed to promote literacy in young children and to empower parents, educators, and librarians, this guide is filled with simple strategies, creative activities, and detailed instructions that help make reading fun. Encouraging a love of reading in young children can be a source of both great frustration and immense joy. This handy resource provides essential tips, techniques, and strategies for making early literacy development fun and inspiring a lifelong love of reading. Read, Rhyme, and Romp: Early Literacy Skills and Activities for Librarians, Teachers, and Parents explores the six basic pre-literacy skills that experts agree are necessary for a young child to be ready to learn to read. Special sections within each chapter are dedicated to the specific needs of preschool teachers, parents, and librarians, making the content relevant to different settings. Recommended book lists, personal anecdotes, and literacy-rich activities combine to create an effective and accessible plan for implementing an early literacy program. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parents' Guide To Primary School Elizabeth Grahamslaw, 2011-05-31 Education is an obsession for parents and children alike and parents will worry about anything to do with their children's schooling, from which school to choose and when their child should start to what they need to learn and how they'll cope in the playground. Schools are crying out for parents to become more involved in their children's education. A Parents' Guide to Primary School contains indispensable advice on: - Pre-school and choosing the right primary school - Getting ready for school and the first day - The curriculum, SATs, homework and the importance of parents' involvement in their children's learning - Discipline and bullying - Governors and the PTA - how to get involved - Parents' evenings and reports - Extracurricular activities - Special needs - Moving on - preparing for secondary school |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Adoptive Parents' Handbook Barbara Cummins Tantrum, 2020-09-01 The essential guide to parenting adopted and foster kids--learn to create felt safety, heal attachment trauma, and navigate challenging behaviors and triggers Children who have been adopted and/or shuttled through the foster-care system experience trauma at a much higher rate than other kids, which can make it difficult for them to trust, relax, regulate their emotions, and connect with their new families. As a parent, learning how to heal attachment trauma, attune to your child's needs, identify triggers, and create felt safety is essential to providing the loving, supportive, and stable home they need to thrive. Written for parents of adopted and foster kids of all ages, this book offers resources for handling common concerns like sleep issues, food sensitivities, anger, fear, and reactivity. It also provides guidance on navigating transracial adoptions, working through parents' own hang-ups, and recognizing signs of developmental and psychological conditions. The book highlights practical strategies and provides real-life examples to address questions like: How do I help my adopted child adjust? Is this kind of behavior normal? How do I help my child live, heal, and thrive with PTSD? |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Everything Parent's Guide To Raising Siblings Linda Sonna, 2006-02-24 A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Conscious Parent's Guide to Raising Boys Cheryl L Erwin, Jennifer Costa, 2017-01-01 The tools you need to foster a positive, supportive relationship with your son! Concerns about self-esteem, peer pressure, and behavior can make raising healthy, happy boys seem overwhelming--but it doesn't have to be. With the help of The Conscious Parent's Guide to Raising Boys, you can encourage open communication with your son. With patience and everyday mindfulness, you can guide your boys from childhood through those challenging developmental years. This easy-to-use guide explains how you can help your son: Communicate effectively with others Strengthen self-image and resist peer pressure Define and exhibit acceptable behavior Keep their commitments to family, community, and themselves Family therapist Jennifer Costa provides you with the information and support you need for parenting with flexibility, resilience, and love so you can create a calm, happy environment for raising well-adjusted, confident boys. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, James C. McPartland, 2014-11-27 Over 100,000 parents have found the facts they need about high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Asperger syndrome, in this indispensable guide. Leading experts show how you can work with your child's unique impairments--and harness his or her capabilities. Vivid stories and real-world examples illustrate ways to help kids with ASD relate more comfortably to peers, learn the rules of appropriate behavior, and succeed in school. You'll learn how ASD is diagnosed and what treatments and educational supports really work. Updated with the latest research and resources, the second edition clearly explains the implications of the DSM-5 diagnostic changes. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, James C. McPartland, 2014-11-13 Packed with real-life stories and everyday problem-solving ideas, this book has given many tens of thousands of parents the facts they need about high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Asperger syndrome. The authors are leading experts who describe ways to work with these kids' unique impairments and capabilities so they can grow into happy, self-sufficient adults. Parents learn practical strategies for helping their son or daughter relate more comfortably to peers, learn the rules of appropriate behavior, and succeed in school. The book also discusses what scientists currently know about ASD and how it is diagnosed, as well as what treatments and educational supports have been shown to work. Updated with the latest research, resources, and clinical strategies, the second edition clearly explains the diagnostic changes in DSM-5-- |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to the Best Kids' Comics Scott Robins, Snow Wildsmith, 2012-05-03 Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. --Author Emilie Buchwald Filled with beautifully illustrated reviews and a wealth of recommendations, A Parent's Guide to the Best Kids' Comics lovingly and thoughtfully reveals a world of graphic novels sure to capture the imagination and curiosity of your child. Children's literature experts and library professionals Scott Robins and Snow Wildsmith select and review 100 age-appropriate books, and recommend another 750 titles for children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade in this full-color, first-of-its-kind guide. You'll also find an educator's bibliography, website recommendations, and a bounty of resources to make this magical journey informative as well as delightful. Jeff Smith and Vijaya Iyer, producers of the highly acclaimed and award-winning Bone series, provide a Foreword for the book. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Everything Parent's Guide to Overcoming Childhood Anxiety Sherianna Boyle, 2014-06-06 All kids worry, but for some children, anxiety and fear are overwhelming and all-consuming. Provides practical advice to help parents and kids cope with anxiety, and rest easy knowing you have the information and resources you need to help your child. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: A Parent's Guide to Common and Uncommon School Problems David A. Gross, Irl Extein, 1989 |
| bedtime stories parents guide: Serafina and the Black Cloak Robert Beatty, 2015-07-14 Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul. Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate.There's plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate's maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is:a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity...before all of the children vanish one by one. Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Smart Parent's Guide to Raising Vegan Kids Eric C. Lindstrom, 2018-07-03 The definitive handbook to raising vegan children you’ve always wished you had. Is bringing up a vegan baby unhealthy? The Smart Parent's Guide to Raising Vegan Kids is the ultimate vegan parenting manifesto that takes on this myth and answers all the other questions you’ve always wondered about—the vegan way. Raising ethically vegan children, in fact, lays the groundwork for a lifetime of excellent health for your child, the animals, and the planet. Eric C. Lindstrom is in the position to know. Having raised one child on the Standard American Diet (SAD) and four other children on a vegan lifestyle, and being a mid-life vegan convert himself, Lindstrom learned through experience. In this practical and tongue-in-cheek guide, Lindstrom dishes the real talk and shares the unique challenges vegans face when starting their children from scratch, providing advice, tips, and tricks on how to raise compassionate, vegan children in all areas of life. Get your kids to eat vegetables (when it’s all they eat anyway) Teach your children compassion with visits to sanctuaries instead of zoos Get advice for dealing with nonvegan social situations Plan for birthday parties and holiday events Find tips for travel and road trips with the family Get access to resources, such as an A to Z of vegan recipes, movies, books, and websites And more! Both informative and hilarious, including expert advice from the world’s leading plant-based physicians and fun recipes for your little vegans, The Smart Parent's Guide to Raising Vegan Kids is the guide every vegan parent who chooses to bring their kids up in a compassionate, sustainable world. |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Good Parent Guide Mukti Jain Campion, 1993 |
| bedtime stories parents guide: The Parents' Guide to Psychological First Aid Gerald Koocher, Annette La Greca, 2010-11-01 Does your young daughter talk endlessly about invisible friends, dragons in the basement, and monsters in the closet? Is your teenager about to start high school or being victimized by bullies? Is your son mortally afraid of certain insects or of injections at the doctor's office? Compiled by two seasoned clinical psychologists, The Parents' Guide to Psychological First Aid brings together articles by recognized experts who provide you with the information you need to help your child navigate the many trying problems that typically afflict young people. Written in an engaging style, this book offers sage advice on a raft of everyday problems that have psychological solutions. The contributors cover such topics as body image and physical appearance; cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol; overeating and obesity; dental visits; the birth of a sibling and sibling rivalries; temper tantrums; fostering self-esteem; shyness and social anxiety; and much more. Each expert article provides an overview of the issues, offers reassurance for minor problems and strategies for crisis management, and discusses the red flags that indicate that professional help is needed. In addition, the book is organized into various categories to make it easier to find information. For instance, the Family Issues section includes articles on Blended Families, Divorce, and Traveling; the Adolescent Issues section covers such topics as Dating and Driving; and the Social/Peer Issues section explores such subjects as Sportsmanship, Homesickness, and Making Friends. An encyclopedic reference for parents concerned with maintaining the mental health of their children, this indispensable volume will help you help your child to deal effectively with stress and pressure, to cope with everyday challenges, and to rebound from disappointments, mistakes, trauma, and adversity. |
