This Science-Based Podcast Combines Positive Affirmations & Bedtime Stories To Help Kids Sleep
If your kids say, “Can I have some water?”, “I heard a noise,” or — my favorite — “I’m not tired” as they rub their eyes and stifle a yawn, then you’re not alone. My 7- and 5-year-olds love coming out of their beds every two minutes at bedtime, turning what should be a calm and easy routine into an hour of “go back to bed.” We’ve tried white noise, we’ve tried reading before bed, we’ve tried music — but nothing seems to help them stay in bed and fall asleep consistently.
So when I heard about the new science-based kids podcast called Snoriezzz designed to help little ones slumber more peacefully, I was extremely intrigued.
Academy Award-winning actor Marcia Gay Harden (you may know her from Mystic River or The Morning Show) and actor and comedian Natalie Peyton host the weekly podcast, which works to “build a tranquil atmosphere that promotes sleep while fostering emotional and mental development.” It’s wonderful for kids to do on their own or with parents, helping you to set the tone for winding down and having a smoother bedtime experience.
This amazing podcast is a collection of mindful bedtime stories. It teaches gentle mindfulness and affirmations to help kids “connect with their inner thoughts” and promote “self-awareness”; offers grounding and relaxation techniques; and tells classic fairytale stories (think: Goldilocks and the Three Bears) set to soothing soundscapes, with lessons on empathy and courage mixed in. The combined experience is a magical and peaceful way to transition into dreamland.
The first night I tried it with my kids, who share a room, it was a little hard for them to settle down and listen. I thought it would be a fun bonding experience, but I quickly realized my presence in the room made them fidgety. I heard a lot of rustling and tossing and turning going on, and at one point, my 5-year-old started mumbling to himself, prompting his older brother to immediately shush him because he couldn’t hear the podcast playing on their Echo Dot. (Adorable!)
When I left the room, I listened at the door for a while as the hosts went though various affirmations and encouraged kids to think about something amazing they either accomplished or worked toward that day. (I loved the emphasis that even trying something or making small progress is still a win to be celebrated!) My kids were more willing to quietly repeat back the affirmations when I wasn’t in the room, which I thought was great! And in addition to the soothing voices, the podcast included relaxing white noise and calming music that combined for a pleasant experience. It even kept my ADHD child entertained — and both kids in their beds! Amazing, right?
As I left the kids to wind down and listen to the podcast, I lost track of time. So when the first podcast episode finished, their device automatically began playing the second episode. They got about halfway through it before I noticed and turned it off, assuming they were asleep. This prompted my 7-year-old to come out of the room and beg me to turn it back on because he loved it so much! Which is great, but he was staying awake to listen to it. Definitely not great! To be fair, he went back to bed and almost immediately fell asleep, not getting up again the rest of the night, so that is a huge improvement.
The second night I turned it on and left the room, making sure to turn it off after the first episode ended. This time, both kids were asleep, which I consider a win! It’s hard to say if it’ll work every single night, but so far, I’m a huge fan of this interesting podcast which changes topics often enough to keep their attention, but is peaceful enough to encourage sleepy time. I highly recommend it!
The podcasts, which you can listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other channels, are 30-minutes long and include stories like Little Bo Peep, The Selfish Giant, and The Magic Bed.
Learn more and subscribe to Snoriezzz HERE.
Curious about bedtime routines celebrities follow for their kids? Read all about them here.