A typical bedtime routine for a child may look like brushing their teeth, putting on pajamas and then going to bed. What researchers found was that incorporating a language-based activity into a child’s bedtime routine can significantly improve their sleep and cognitive growth. This can take the form of reading, storytelling, or even singing.  

The study that this article focuses on revealed that children who regularly experienced these language-based activities slept longer and scored higher on verbal tests by the age of 5. It was also shown to have links to lower levels of anxiety and aggression. Something as simple as reading a bedtime story at bed proved to have a profound impact on children’s development. 

Interested in reading more? Click here! 

 

Rachel Silverman 

UConn KIDS, Research Assistant 

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