Creating Healthy Sleep Habits for your Children

This interesting article addresses some of the key issuesregarding healthy sleep habits. A careful reading of this material could make abig difference in how you think about healthy sleep habits to children. Healthysleep habits for children are as significant as they are a necessary forhealth, proper growth and well-being.

Children, who get sufficient amount sleep every nightfunction better throughout the day, are more alert, and their concentration,performance and memory are better than those who don’t sleep well. As wellchildren with sleep problems are less likely to develop behavioral problems ofany kind, moodiness, anxiety or depression.

The needs of sleep differ from child to child but school agechildren in general require in the area of nine to twelve hours of sleep pernight. Consider these things if you are unsure whether or not your child is gettingenough sleep every night.

If he/she wakes up easily in the morning that is a good sign

If he/she is wide awake, energetic and alert throughout the school day then the nighttime sleep is sufficient.

If a child can fall asleep within a period of fifteen minutes to a half an hour than he or she is getting enough sleep

It is significant to explain to your child why gettingenough sleep every night is significant, not only in terms of his/her healthbut also for performance in school and other activities such as sports, music,playtime, etc.

Bedtime Routines

Above all else developing and following a routine beforebedtime is the number one tip to encourage good sleep habits in your child isto. A routine is good for children because children like predictability and abedtime routine makes it easier for a kid to calm down after their busy day,crawl into bed and drift off to sleep.

A typical bedtime routine for a child should look somethinglike this- a light snack, a relaxing bath, dry off and put on pajamas, washface and brush teeth, read a bedtime story and then it’s good night and lightsout.

Same Bedtime

Stick to the same bedtime every night. An occasional changein the bedtime routine, such as when grandparents visit or during a holidayweekend is one thing, but for the most part, a consistent routine is best.

Children’s Bedroom

Always make sure that a child’s room is at a comfortabletemperature and that it is peaceful and quiet. Also many children do not wantto be left in the total darkness while they sleep so getting a nightlight is aworthwhile purchase to make.

Stress

Stress can cause sleepless nights for children so alwaysencourage your son or daughter to talk with you about any concerns or worrieshe or she is having, whether they be family problems, school related problemsand so on.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucialinformation about healthy sleep habits for your children. But don't besurprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in thenext few days.

Cut-off Time for Entertainment

It is an excellent idea to devise a specific cut-off timefor entertainment for your child, in terms of television, video games, and thecomputer and so on. It is not a good idea to have a television or a computer ina child’s bedroom, as they can be easily distracted or tempted to play afterthey are told, “Enough for today.”

It is an even better idea to cease television, computer orvideos an hour before bedtime in order to make the preparation for sleep a calmand relaxing experience. A child does not need anything stimulating beforebedtime.

Sleep Disorders for Children

Children can suffer from sleep disorders just like people ofany age can. Sleep apnea, insomnia, enuresis (bed wetting), bruxism (teeth grinding),asthma that is nocturnal in nature and nightmares can all occur in children.

You make a visit to the doctor to decide upon a course ofaction, the better, if your child is having problems with sleep the sooner.

Educate Your Child about Sleep

Try to make the whole sleep experience as positive anduplifting as can be. Encourage your child to learn how to fall asleep onhis/her own and not to need to rely on you.

Research has proven that a child sleeping in a parent’s bedruns a risk of them suffocating or being strangled and also fosters dependenceto an unhealthy extent. None of these things are as likely to happen when thechild is alone in their own bed.

It is the kid who can be alone and fall asleep byhim/herself who learns better how to cope with moments when he or she isawakened during the night. The only time that you might want to stay with yourchild until they fall asleep is if they are sick or extremely fearful.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What youlearn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.