The average parent will read the same bedtime story to their little one 416 times a year. A poll of 1,000 parents with children aged up to four found 79% have re-read the same book at their child’s request. In a typical week a parent will read their child’s favourite story from start to finish an average of eight times, with parents putting up with the same book on six consecutive days.
According to the poll, parents dedicate 48 minutes to reading one particular book each week – with each reading lasting an average of six minutes. Eight in ten are so familiar with their child’s favourite stories that they can recite at least one off by heart, with many claiming they can remember as many as eight.
This insight comes courtesy of Busy Bees who conducted this research as part of their unveiling of Bee Curious, an independently assessed early learning programme. Their curriculum is scientifically designed to encourage lifelong love of learning through play and storytelling and is said to give children a head start in school and fosters key early development skills.
Advocating for the pivotal role of storytelling in childhood growth, Jenny Shaw, the academic lead at the childcare provider, hails storytime as ‘crucial’, explaining it helps them to enjoy quality time with loved ones whilst learning about the world around them and increasing their vocabulary.
“Stories are key in nurturing children’s language development,” she said, “it’s been proven that the number of words a child hears and speaks by the age of three plays a key role in their future literacy, communication skills, and academic success.”
She explained this is why storytelling is at the heart of our new curriculum. To reassure parents who might consider the habit of repeatedly reading the same tales to be tiresome or uninspiring, she stressed its profound impact on language progression, asserting that it’s ‘hugely beneficial’.
“Children love the familiarity of their favourite characters and repetition is essential for learning and helps children learn new words more quickly,” she said.
The study revealed that parents of preschoolers tend to read an average of three distinct stories each evening. Common themes that abound include family (43%), friendship (34%), and farm animals (27%). The consensus among parents is that the optimal storybook should run to about 11 pages and feature a cast of animals, babies, or fairies.
Two thirds of parents read to their children recognising its significance for their learning and development, while 63% simply enjoy having a bedtime reading routine. For 46% of those polled they said reading to their child at night is one of the highlights of their day.
Jenny added: “Encouraging a love for stories from a young age not only enhances language and literacy skills but also fosters creativity, emotional intelligence, and a deeper connection between children and their caregivers.”
She highlighted that incorporating storytelling into daily routines can help establish a robust foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity. It can also aid a child’s transition to school by developing their listening, comprehension, and communication skills.
In celebration of the curriculum launch, Busy Bees has announced the winner of its nationwide hunt for the best bedtime storyteller.
Jonathan Vickers, from Surrey, triumphed over stiff competition to win £1,000 and a donation of the top 40 preschool books to his local library, ensuring as many local families as possible can share in these stories together.
