Chores. Dinner. Sports. Work. Bath. Laundry. The to-do list never really stops for parents, does it? It’s easy to have good intentions for a child’s bedtime routine, but it’s also quite easy for life to get in the way, deflate those good intentions, and just skip the bedtime story altogether.
But what if I told you that five extra minutes of reading can boost your child’s brain development and overall mental health wellness? In fact, Good Science reported that, “Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, which is important for boosting cognition and mental well-being. Good brain health at this age is directly linked to better mental health, cognition, and educational attainment in adolescence and adulthood. It can also provide resilience in times of stress.” As parents, isn’t this what we want most for our children?
Furthermore, Child Mind Institute highlights just how words, characters, and plots can foster mental health, such as empathy, self-awareness, and kindness: “Aside from language and literacy, reading is also an important tool for helping children develop empathy. As kids read books about people whose lives are different from their own (and especially stories told from the perspectives of those people), they gain an appreciation for other people’s feelings, as well as other cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives.”
It’s easy to think your child might get this from reading at school or in a club or activity, but there’s power when it comes from you, the parent. So despite the busyness, we have to make time for what’s important.
Personally, I want to build empathy and resiliency in my children, so we choose to read together almost every night. In true transparency, this is mostly reading aloud to my children, but sometimes it’s them reading to us, sometimes it’s a virtual book, and other times it’s an audiobook. Regardless of the type of book, we’re able to discuss the feelings of characters, the emotions they go through, and how we might approach similar situations. The conversations are often filled with giggles, shock, sadness, or joy, but the one thing that always amazes me is that the same topics tend to show up later in real-life situations. For example, our daughter will reference the book Wonder when she experiences another classmate ridiculing another student who might look or act differently from them. It’s a beautiful thing to watch them digest, cognitively think about their own choices, and then react.
You may be wondering how you’re supposed to fit another thing in your already crammed day. Maybe just start bedtime five minutes earlier tonight, or make a plan to spend one hour at your local library together after school one day. Whatever you choose, grab a book, and watch your child slowly build their mental health one page at a time. I’ve listed a few of our favorite books below. Happy reading!
- What Should Danny Do? by Adir Levy and Ganit Levy- Decision Making, Empathy
- What Should Darla Do? by Adir Levy and Ganit Levy- Decision Making, Empathy
- The Good Egg by Jory John – Empathy, Self Care, Kindness
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio – Empathy, Kindness, Inclusion
- The Color Monster by Anna Llenas – Emotions
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Empathy, Kindness, Resilience, Gratitude
- Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper – Empathy, Kindness, Inclusion
- Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton – Resilience, Growth, Spirituality
Furthermore, at 1N5, we believe that children’s mental health starts at home, which is why we’d love to invite you to join us on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for our 4th Annual Family Mental Health Education Day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. This day is designed for parents and caregivers of youth (ages 12+) living with anxiety or depression. The event will feature expert-led sessions, practical tools for supporting mental health, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the challenges families face. Cost is $15 per person, and scholarships are available. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, all sessions, parking, and full-day zoo admission so families can explore after the program. Learn more about the event and register by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you there!