Child Psychiatrist Pens 'Sleep Time' Stories

LOS ANGELES, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ What is believed to be a pioneering "sleep time" genre of children's literature has been introduced by child psychiatrist Edward R. Ritvo, M.D.

The importance of this innovative children's literature rests in the fact that sleep time stories promote bonding between the child and parent/caretaker which is a key foundation to developing a healthy child with strong self-esteem.

"Sleepy time stories are powerful in that they convey to the infant that they are loved and are special to their parents who care enough for them that they devote this special experience each evening," explains Dr. Ritvo.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently announced their new policy of encouraging parents to read aloud to their infants from birth. They state that important brain development occurs with the first three years and that reading to children enhances vocabulary and other important communication skills.

Dr. Edward R. Ritvo, M.D., a retired Professor of Child Psychiatry at the UCLA Medical School and an internationally acclaimed autism researcher, shared a collection of sleep time stories shared with three generations in his family by publishing Sleep Time Stories: The Adventures of Pee Wee(available on Amazon).

The stories were first told to Dr. Ritvo by his father Professor Max Ritvo which the author then has shared as sleep time stories with his children and grandchildren. He wrote the Sleep Time Stories: The Adventures of Pee Wee to memorialize the stories his father told and to encourage parents to tell sleep time rather than bedtime stories to their children to encourage bonding that develops healthy children.

A sleep time story occurs when the lights are turned down low, the door is closed, and only parent and child are in the room with the parent/caretaker's full attention focused on the infant. The child falls asleep in a comfortable happy frame of mind knowing they are loved.

When bonding between infant and parent/caretaker does not occur, the child will develop a pathologic personality psychotic, personality disorder, major depression, or other serious emotional/mental disorder. When bonding occurs, stresses Dr. Ritvo, the infant develops into a happy, confident, loved and successful child.

Each Pee Wee story begins with the same 9 to 10 sentences, an important literary technique Dr. Ritvo explains because it sets the stage and signals to the child that the "I love you time"with mommy or daddy is about to begin.

At times in the story the reader asks a question and is prompted by the author to "wait for the answer." This pause prompts the child to visualize the story and tap into their imagination to come up with a response. As the story is repeated, the child is given the opportunity to expand on their answers and develop a dialogue with the story teller.

For a review copy or interview with the author contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090.

SOURCE Edward R. Ritvo, M.D.

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