Who would have thought bedtime could become a science in itself? The use of story has always been celebrated, and now, with A Bear’s Sleepy Journey, it can enhance a better night’s sleep too, or persuade the reluctant sleeper that they can fall asleep easily!
The use of story has always been celebrated at bedtime. For centuries, we have used stories to learn about life, ourselves, and now we can use stories to help us fall asleep with ease. The promise of a better night’s sleep too, growing in confidence, or persuading a reluctant sleeper that they can fall asleep easily, may seem bold statements, but the psychology behind the book really does work !
A Bear’s Sleepy Journey uses relaxation techniques and positive suggestions to help the listener fall asleep. During the introduction, children are asked to help Drowsy bear to find his answers to sleep as they walk through the Rainbow Caves together. (For reluctant sleepers this gives them an altruistic reason to help the bear and gives them a reason to comply with the story’s suggestions for sleep, who would not want to help Drowsy bear?) Essentially it is a guided meditation story, walking with Drowsy bear in the Rainbow Caves leading the meditation, and then a second story with Bobo bear who looks for his own answers to sleep and seeks the Lord of the Arctic Bear who will help him.
Children are often asleep before the second story. This is reinforcing the ease and confidence to find the answers to sleep! The subconscious mind will listen and behaviour can change!Â
Mums are already telling us that their children have found it easier to get to sleep and wake up more refreshed, with ‘less wake ups in the night’. Drowsy bear is a big hit with children who love helping him, one little boy asks for Drowsy bear every night!
The book has also been recommended by family therapists and professionals, both teachers and doctors who are using it, recognising the uses of the psychological approach. Every psychologist who has ever used Erickson or Bandler techniques will find examples woven into this bedtime book.
It’s a new approach to bedtime, specially designed story which uses psychology based language, and also links with the current trend in mindfulness too! At the end of the day, both children and parents will be reaching for this book. It’s appealing and beautiful illustrations add to the ideas.
It’s helped children feel calmer and been used with all ages from three years to twelve years old.
