Bring back the Bedtime Story

The tradition of parents reading a bedtime story to their child is becoming a thing of the past according to a study for Silentnight Beds.

The research has revealed the shocking truth that almost half of UK kids watch TV or listen to music rather than enjoying a story before bed. It is believed tiredness and work commitments have led to 33 per cent of parents feeling guilty at the fact they do not read aloud to their children.

The study also found that 97 per cent of parents agree that reading before bedtime is beneficial to a child's development. However it is estimated that 47 per cent of children will grow up having never heard a bedtime story.

The study revealed Dads are the worst culprits, with only 13 per cent regularly reading to their children, compared to 46 per cent of mums.

Child Psychologist, Dr Pat Spungin said, "The benefits of bedtime reading from an early age are evident with 38 per cent of children going on to read for themselves before bed - this is a healthy routine to get in to as it will improve their creativity, reading and writing skills, not to mention help them to relax and sleep better."
Silentnight conducted the survey to launch their national competition 'Book At Bedtime' - a bid to find a budding young author to pen a new bedtime story, in association with top publisher Puffin and award-winning children's author Jeremy Strong.

The search will run across the country from February 2007 with the winner being announced at the grand final at Waterstone's Piccadilly on August 7th, during Silentnight's 'National Love Your Bed Week'.

Jeremy Strong says, "I think it is important for parents to read to their children and for children's minds and imaginations to be nurtured daily. Hopefully by encouraging kids to put pen to paper we will bring out their natural creativity and also steer children away from computer games and television and towards the bedtime story".

WWW.PRNEWSWIRE.CO.UK 18TH FEBRUARY

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Last Modified: 03/08/2007

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