How Bedtime Stories are Hypnotising Kids
For generations, parents have known that bedtime stories help kids relax and fall asleep more easily. But you may not be aware that they also act as a form of hypnosis, says children's author and financial education expert Daniel Britton.
Online, March 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - For generations, parents have known that bedtime stories help kids relax and fall asleep more easily. But you may not be aware that they also act as a form of hypnosis, says children's author and financial education expert Daniel Britton.
Research around brain waves reveals that there are 4 main wavelengths or types of brainwaves, Delta, Theta, Alpha and Beta.
When a child is between the ages of 2 and 6, their brainwaves are predominantly in the Theta state, which helps explains their rich imagination and creativity at this stage of child development. As adults we experience this state when dreaming, in deep hypnosis, meditating, or "in the zone" such as occasionally occurs in sports or when 'lost in music'.
From six to twelve years of age, children's brainwaves accelerate to the Alpha state.
For adults the Alpha state occurs when we meditate, daydream or enter the lighter states of hypnosis or 'highway hypnosis'.
Children between 2 and 12 therefore, are typically in the same brainwave states as adults are when in hypnosis, meditation or day dreaming. Which are precisely the states where we become most suggestible.
"Between these years, explains Daniel, there exists a golden opportunity to 'program' children for maximum success. Or, on the contrary, careless, negative words and influences can become harmful hypnotic suggestions that form powerful obstacles to the developing personality".
"Perhaps, the best way to understand the importance of bedtime stories is to look back and recall some of your own favourite stories from childhood," says Sandra Dye, Psychotherapist and Child Expert, Developer of the:5-Step Parenting System - Stay Connected To Have Influence. "As an adult, you may even notice that some of the messages in your favourite stories have played out in your life in some instrumental way."
Parents need to be very aware of the suggestions they are giving their children that will have an effect on their adult life. Are you through bedtime stories, for example, suggesting to your children that the world is full of opportunity or a scary place?