Gentle Tales Blog

What actually settles a child at bedtime, what the sleep research supports, and how audio fits a screen-free routine.

screen time guidelines toddlers

What Are the Screen Time Guidelines for Toddlers?

The AAP advises no screens before 18 months except video chat, limited co-viewed content from 18 to 24 months, and about an hour a day for ages two to five.

Read the guide → July 29, 2026
toddler bedtime routine

What Does a Good Toddler Bedtime Routine Look Like?

Three or four calm steps in the same order every night, lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Consistency is the active ingredient, and new routines take one to two weeks to settle.

Read the guide → July 22, 2026
are audio stories good for kids

Are Audio Stories Good for Children?

Listening builds vocabulary, comprehension and imagination, and children follow spoken stories above their reading level. Audio complements shared reading rather than replacing it.

Read the guide → July 15, 2026
toddler sleep without screens

How Do You Settle a Toddler Without Screens?

Replace the screen with a story rather than leaving a gap. Stories end naturally, which removes the confrontation of switching a device off. Expect three to five hard nights.

Read the guide → July 8, 2026
how long should a bedtime story be

How Long Should a Bedtime Story Be?

Five to ten minutes for toddlers, fifteen to twenty for school-age children. Match length to settling time, since a story that runs long keeps a child awake for the ending.

Read the guide → July 1, 2026
long car rides with kids

What Can Children Do on Long Car Journeys?

Break the journey into named segments, rotate activities every forty minutes, and use audio to avoid motion sickness. Download everything before you leave.

Read the guide → June 24, 2026
child wants same story

Why Does Your Child Want the Same Story Every Night?

Repetition consolidates language. Once the plot is known, attention shifts to vocabulary and structure, and children learn words better from one book read repeatedly.

Read the guide → June 17, 2026
best fables for kids

Which Fables Are Worth Reading to Children?

Aesop's fables suit young children: short, animal-led and clearly resolved. Start with the Tortoise and the Hare, the Boy Who Cried Wolf and the Lion and the Mouse.

Read the guide → June 10, 2026
how much sleep does a toddler need

How Much Sleep Does a Toddler Need?

11 to 14 hours per 24 hours for ages one to two and 10 to 13 for three to five, including naps. Daytime behaviour indicates sufficiency better than the hourly total.

Read the guide → June 3, 2026