Daytime Books vs. Bedtime Books
As adults, we read for different purposes. For most of us, the majority of the reading we do is for obtaining information. We read to find out what is going on in the world around us. We read to find out about different places and cultures and to learn new languages. We read to complete daily tasks, like reading answers to the questions we google, reading directions so that we know how to get from one place to another or reading recipes so that we know how to prepare meals. We read to learn new subjects.
We also read for enjoyment. How comfortable is it to curl up with a really good novel on a rainy day? How satisfying is it to wind down after a busy day by reading your favorite digital publication? It can also be gratifying to read about a hobby like travel, an interest or passion like starting a business, or to read for spiritual growth or personal development.
Because we read for different purposes, the content we read for each purpose is also typically different. When I want to read for relaxation, I don’t pick up the same thing I read to find out about world news. The same is true for our littlebits.
Different types of books lend themselves to different purposes, even for our little ones who are just discovering the magic of books and the beauty of reading. At our house, we incorporate books into play , but we also read before naptime and bedtime. The types of books we read for these occasions are different.
It’s helpful to choose books that are appropriate for what you’re trying to accomplish with your littlebit. Your careful selection just may lead to more productive teaching & learning sessions or more effective bedtimes. Scroll down for what to consider when choosing books to read during the day and books to read before bed.
Daytime Books
We read throughout our day, from morning preschool lessons to playtime. Here are the types of books we generally read for fun and engagement during the day.
Books that teach content: Whether it’s time for lessons or time for fun, books that teach ABC’s, 123’s, and vocabulary are great to read during the day. When littlebits’ brains are awake and alert, they can soak up all of the information these books have to offer. These books also lend themselves to singing and playing games.
Books that feature characters on a mission: There’s lots to discuss when characters are on a journey or have a major goal to accomplish. Whether the journey is long, short, wild, slow-moving, highly motivated, or like nothing our little readers have seen before, the mission can inspire questions like, “How do you think [Character] is feeling?” and “What problem is [Character] trying to solve?” Asking questions during reading gets littlebits thinking, and we all do our best thinking when we are attentive.
Books that are stimulating: From pop-up books to touch & feel books and those with thought provoking tasks like finding hidden objects, stimulating books are great for daytime reading. They promote sensory skills and critical thinking – both of which are best when littlebits are fresh and fully engaged.
Bedtime Books
When we read books right before bed, I typically try to pick (or persuade Lucy to pick) books that encourage sleepiness. These are the types of books we generally read to induce sleepiness before bedtime.
Books that have an “I love you” theme: These books are great for snuggling! Also, they drive home to littlebits the very comforting message that they are loved. Don’t we all want to be reminded of that before we go to sleep?
Books featuring “good night” messages or sleeping characters: These books set up littlebits for what we want them to do – sleep! A sleeping character makes a good talking point as connections can be made between what the character is doing and what your littlebit is getting ready to do. In each of the Littlebit Book Club books, Lucy Littlebit is sleeping on the final page. You can say to your child, “See how Lucy Littlebit is sleeping? Doesn’t she look relaxed and cozy? Let’s get you ready to do the same.”
We read books that say “good night” even in the middle of the day before a nap because they normalize and celebrate sleeping. This helps cut down on the sleeptime rebellions. These books are typically visually darker, using hues of blues and purple on pages that show nighttime or show the character sleeping.
Books that are simplistic: Have you ever read a book that is just so simple that you wonder how it ever made it to press? Or a book that leaves you wondering, “That’s it?” In our house, we save these books to read before bed. Unlike stimulating pop-up and touch-and-feel books, these basic books won’t put their brains into overdrive right before we want them to sleep, making them perfect for bedtime reading.
Does this work out according to the plan every single time? Of course not. There are days when we read every “good night” book on Lucy’s bookshelf, and she still rebels against a nap. But being intentional about the types of books we chose to read throughout the day models for littlebits that we read for different purposes as we go through our lives – and that’s one important element of our identities as readers.
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