Is a short story still worth it?
Yes. The routine matters more than the length. Children sleep better with a consistent routine most nights of the week, so a five-minute story that happens every night does more than a long one that happens twice a week.
That is the dose effect found in a study of more than 10,000 families (Mindell et al., 2015). Keep the order the same (wash, pyjamas, teeth, story, light) and simply choose a shorter story.
Tips for keeping story time short
- Agree “one story tonight” before you start, not at the end.
- Let your child choose from two short options rather than the whole shelf.
- Read in a slower, quieter voice; it signals sleep and is harder to argue with.
- Save questions for tomorrow’s re-read.
More ideas: bedtime routine guide · stories about sleep
