Moms, reading bedtime stories is a simple habit that brings great benefits to your child's development. According to data from the Indonesian Pediatric Society, young children who are accustomed to hearing stories before bed tend to have faster-developing language skills.
In addition, fairy tales help mature emotional regulation, strengthen the parent-child bond, and build a positive nighttime routine.
In Indonesia, the habit of reading stories is often overlooked due to busyness. In fact, with just 5 to 10 minutes before bedtime, Moms can instill moral values such as honesty, courage, and helping each other from an early age.
Here are seven bedtime stories that Moms can read with light narratives, easy-to-understand plots, and messages of goodness that are close to everyday life.
The Story of the Mouse Deer and the Crocodile
Mouse deer is a clever little animal. One day it wanted to cross a river, but the river was full of hungry crocodiles. The mouse deer was afraid of being eaten if it swam. It then sat by the riverbank and thought of a plan. Suddenly, it got a clever idea.
The mouse deer shouted to the crocodiles, "Oh Crocodiles, I have received an order from the King of the Jungle to count all the crocodiles here. If I succeed in counting you, the King will give you a great reward."
Hearing that, the crocodiles felt proud. They then lined up neatly from the riverbank to the other side to be easily counted.
The mouse deer jumped onto the crocodiles' backs one by one while saying, One two three until finally, it reached the other side. Upon landing, the mouse deer chuckled softly and said, Thank you, crocodiles. I just wanted to cross. The crocodiles were angry but couldn't chase it.
The mouse deer ran safely into the forest. It was relieved to escape without harming anyone. This story teaches that cleverness can help solve problems.
Little One can learn that thinking before acting is a good habit. This story also introduces forest animals that often appear in Indonesian folklore.
Cinderella Story
Cinderella is a kind-hearted girl who lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters who always order her around. Every day, Cinderella cleans the house, prepares meals, and works tirelessly. Although she is often treated unfairly, she remains patient.
One day, the kingdom held a party. All the girls were invited, including Cinderella. However, her stepmother forbade her from going. After the stepfamily left, Cinderella sat down crying. Suddenly, a kind fairy appeared and said, "Don't be sad. I will help you." The fairy turned a pumpkin into a carriage and gave Cinderella a beautiful dress.
Cinderella went to the party and danced with the prince. They were very happy, but Cinderella had to go home before midnight so the magic wouldn't disappear. As she ran, her glass slipper was left behind. The prince found it and promised to find its owner.
The next day, the prince toured the village. When the shoe was fitted on Cinderella, it was a perfect fit. The prince took her to the palace, and Cinderella began a new, happy life.
This story teaches that kindness will not be in vain. The Little One can learn about patience, hope, and self-confidence.
Pinocchio Story
Pinocchio is a wooden puppet made by Geppetto. One night, a fairy came and gave life to Pinocchio so that Geppetto would not be lonely. Pinocchio was very happy to be able to move and talk. However, he often lied. Every time he was dishonest, his nose would immediately grow longer.
Pinocchio often gets tempted to follow naughty friends who invite him to play when he should be studying. He also lies several times to avoid getting into trouble.
However, his habit got him into a difficult situation. He almost turned into a donkey because he refused to listen to good advice.
When Pinocchio was truly frightened, he began to realize his mistakes. He decided to be honest and brave enough to speak the truth. Gradually, the piled-up problems became easier to solve.
The fairy saw his kindness and gave him a second chance. When Pinocchio bravely helped Geppetto again, he turned into a real human child.
Story Pinocchio helps children understand the importance of telling the truth. Young children in Indonesia are often given visual examples to make it easier to understand, and Pinocchio's lengthening nose makes the moral message very clear. This story is suitable for building character from an early age.
Rapunzel Story
Rapunzel is a girl with very long and shiny hair. She lives in a tall tower without a door. The woman who takes care of her said that the outside world is dangerous. So, Rapunzel can only see the world from the window every day.
She often sang to entertain herself. Her voice was soft and melodious. One day, a prince heard her singing from afar. He searched for the source of the voice and found Rapunzel's tower. Since there was no door, the prince was confused.
However, he heard the woman guard say, Rapunzel, let down your hair. Rapunzel then let down her hair so the guard could climb up.
When the guard left, the prince tried to call her in the same way. Rapunzel let down her hair and the prince climbed up. Initially, Rapunzel was afraid, but the prince gently said that he only wanted to be friends. They talked every day and became close.
Rapunzel finally found the courage to leave the tower. She realized that the world was not as bad as she had imagined. The prince helped her meet good people, and Rapunzel began a new, freer life.
This story teaches the importance of courage and friendship. Little ones can also learn that asking for help is a good thing.
The Story of Timun Emas
In a village, there lived a woman who really wanted a child. One day, she met a giant. The giant gave her a cucumber seed and said that from that seed, a child would be born.
However, she asked for the child to be handed over when he was grown up. The mother agreed because she really wanted to have a family.
From the large cucumber that grew, a beautiful baby named Timun Emas emerged. The mother loved her dearly. But the giant remembered his promise and one day came to take Timun Emas. The mother panicked and asked for help. She was given four magical items: cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste.
When the giant chased Timun Emas, she threw cucumber seeds. The seeds turned into a dense bamboo forest. The giant was injured while trying to pass through it. Timun Emas then threw needles that turned into long thorns.
The giant was in pain again. It then threw salt that turned into a vast ocean. Finally, it threw shrimp paste that turned into hot mud.
The giant could no longer chase her. Timun Emas was safe and returned to her mother's embrace. This story teaches courage and intelligence when facing problems. This Nusantara fairy tale also introduces Indonesian culture to the little ones.
The Story of the Arrogant Crane
At the riverbank lived a proud stork. It considered itself the most beautiful because of its long neck and pristine white feathers. It often looked down on other animals. When a frog invited it to search for food, the stork said it was a dirty job. When a turtle wanted to be friends, the stork refused because it felt superior.
The dry season has arrived. The river dried up, and the stork struggled to find food. It began to feel weak and confused about what to do. Other animals saw the stork's difficulties, but they remembered how the stork used to speak harshly to them.
The stork finally gathered the courage to apologize. It said that it regretted being arrogant. The frog, turtle, and fish accepted its apology. They helped the stork find food until the rainy season returned.
The stork learned that being kind is far more important than appearance. This story teaches children about empathy, cooperation, and not underestimating anyone.
The Story of the Black Cat
The Black Cat has a yellow-colored kitten. However, the Yellow Kitten feels unhappy with its mother, whom it considers ugly and black. It wants a prettier mother. So, it leaves the cage to find a new mother.
He saw the beautiful sun. He asked, Oh Sun, would you like to be my mother? The sun said, No. If the clouds come, they will cover me, and my light will disappear.
Then The Yellow Cat asked the cloud, Oh Cloud, would you like to be my mother? The Cloud said, No. When the wind comes, it will blow me away, and I will fly far and disappear.
He asked the wind, Wind, would you be my mother? The wind said, No. We cannot pass if that mountain blocks us.
Mountain said, No. If the mouse comes, it can bore holes in me until I'm destroyed. Then Yellow Cat asked the mouse, Mouse, would you like to be my mother. Mouse said, No. If that Black Cat comes, it will eat me and my children.
Cat Yellow realized that every creature has weaknesses. He realized that his mother was the greatest. He went home and hugged his mother. The moral message is the importance of gratitude and loving family as they are.
Moms, reading bedtime stories is not only for entertainment but also an important part of parenting. Stories help instill character education, enrich imagination, and strengthen emotional bonds. By choosing stories that are easy to understand, your little one will develop healthy sleep habits while learning moral values such as honesty, courage, and friendship.
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With a 3D surface and good air cavities, MAKUKU Slim helps keep your little one's skin healthy throughout the night. The sleep routine will be calmer and of higher quality.
