Nighty Night and Good Night
Nurturing Steps Series
on Goodreads (24)
What’s inside...
In 'Nighty Night and Good Night', Michael W. Smith tells a soothing bedtime story about a group of friends, the Nighty Nights, who help their friend Ben settle down for a good night's sleep. This book, part of the Nurturing Steps series, includes calming imagery and a lullaby sung by Smith, designed to help children relax and drift off into peaceful slumber. The book features a padded board cover with foil stars and offers a link for readers to listen to the lullaby.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-4
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Ben felt when he couldn't fall asleep? Have you ever felt like that?
What are some ways the Nighty Night band helped Ben? Can you think of a time when someone helped you feel better?
Why is it important to have a bedtime routine? What are some things you like to do before bed?
How do you think having friends like the Nighty Night band might make bedtime easier?
What was your favorite part of the story and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about bedtime by relating to Ben's experience in the story.
Discuss the support system Ben had with the Nighty Night band, emphasizing the importance of kindness and helping each other.
Highlight the significance of routines and ask your child to describe or even write/draw out their ideal bedtime routine inspired by the story.
Use the story as a springboard to discuss the value of friendship and how friends can help us in difficult times.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and encourage them to think more deeply about the story’s themes with follow-up questions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of bedtime routines
Explanation: In 'Nighty Night and Good Night', the gentle narrative follows a character named Ben as he prepares for bedtime with the help of his friends. This routine helps Ben to wind down and get ready for sleep.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by establishing their own bedtime routine, which can include brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, and reading a bedtime story, helping them to understand the significance of winding down before sleeping.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and caring
Explanation: Throughout the book, Ben’s friends, the Nighty Night band, demonstrate care by helping him get ready for bed. Their supportive interactions emphasize the value of friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be supportive and considerate friends in their day-to-day interactions, helping their peers in small ways and showing kindness.
Example Lesson: Using imagination to soothe fears
Explanation: In the story, Ben feels more comfortable going to bed after imagining his friends, the Nighty Night band, playing soft lullabies. This use of his imagination helps alleviate his fears of the dark.
Real-World Application: Children can use their imagination as a tool to cope with their fears or anxieties by picturing calming scenes or thinking of friendly faces when they feel scared or uneasy.
Example Lesson: The importance of sleep
Explanation: The book highlights how sleep is vital for Ben after a long day of fun and adventures, showing how it helps him rejuvenate.
Real-World Application: This can be used to teach children the benefits of good sleep hygiene, encouraging them to value and prioritize their bedtime as essential for their energy and health.