A story can be lovely to hear during the day and too exciting for bedtime. Preview the plot and narration before adding it to your evening. Familiarity, a manageable length and an ending your child finds reassuring are useful places to start.
Choose a calm plot with little suspense
Compare two imaginary stories. In one, a rabbit races through a dark forest to escape a wolf. In the other, a rabbit waters the garden, says goodnight to a neighbour and returns home. Both could be enjoyable; the second has fewer urgent questions to keep a listener waiting.
A classic is not automatically unsuitable, and a story labelled “for sleep” is not automatically right. Consider how your child responds to separation, danger and surprises, even when the ending is happy.
Match the language and length to the evening
Choose sentences and vocabulary your child can follow without frequent explanations. A little unfamiliar language can be interesting, but a tired listener may prefer a story they already know.
If you have ten minutes for a story, choose a recording that fits or agree on a stopping point beforehand. A long recording with a cliff-hanger can make stopping harder than expected.
Listen to the voice and the ending
- Is the pace easy to follow?
- Are there sudden sound effects or large changes in volume?
- Does the character’s problem end with enough time for a quieter closing?
- Will another track start automatically?
- Can your child listen without watching the display?
Keep a few favourites
Save three or four stories that suit your family and introduce new ones gradually. Offer two choices when it is time to listen. You can explore a new recording earlier in the day instead of doing all the choosing after lights out.
For younger listeners, the guide to stories for three-year-olds includes a simple story idea. If suspense is the sticking point, see how to tell when a story is too scary for bedtime.