Bedtime calls for a gentle dimming of lights, a ruffle of blankets and the cuddling up of parent and child. Then comes story time, a tradition that offers learning, interaction and bonding.
Studies, including one published in the international journal Pediatrics, prove that when parents read printed books to their children, there is a greater level of conversation and engagement between the two.
“Initiating reading is recommended as soon as a baby is born; [it has] proven to be hugely beneficial for a child’s social, emotional, linguistic and academic development,” says Martine Diab, Speech and Language Therapist at Priory Wellbeing Centre, Abu Dhabi.
But as electronic devices dominate our world, there is much debate about whether children should consume more digital or traditional books.