Lessons at bedtime - The story of learning

PARENTS are under such pressure today that it may seem unfair to burden them with another challenge, but this may be one most would enjoy.

A survey of 300 parents found that nearly two thirds of them felt too tired after their day’s work to read a bedtime story to their children. This habit may not be the bedrock on which our civilisation rests but it is a little part of the mosaic that makes us civilised.

Some people are lucky and find the joys and richness of reading by themselves, but most of us need a prod in the right direction, and the bedtime story is the great way to teach children the joy of reading, communication, imagining and listening.

These are invaluable skills and anyone who can find the time to share them with a child should do so.