When it comes to the subject of good sleep habits for your children it may be a non-issue in that quite often kids will sleep well and through the night. However, it must be acknowledged that because of the stressful times we live in and the number of health problems prevalent – sleeping problems may arise. Parents will have to take the initiative in regulating their children’s sleep habits as young ones may not realize the importance of getting regular proper rest.

Good sleep habits for kids are as important as they are an essential for health, proper growth and well-being. Children, who get plenty of sleep every night function better throughout the day, are more alert, and their concentration, memory, and performance are better than those who don’t sleep well. As well children with sleep problems are less likely to develop behavioral problems of any kind, moodiness, anxiety or depression.

The needs of sleep vary from child to child but school age children in general require in the area of nine to twelve hours of sleep per night. If you are unsure whether or not your child is getting enough sleep every night consider these things- 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; 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. It is important to explain to your child why getting enough sleep every night is significant, not only in terms of his/her health but also for performance in school and other activities such as sports, music, playtime, etc.

Above all else the number one tip to encourage good sleep habits in your child is to develop and follow a routine before bedtime. A routine is good for children because children like predictability and a bedtime 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 something like this- a light snack (such as milk and cookies, but avoid chocolate cookies as they contain caffeine), a relaxing bath, dry off and put on pajamas, wash face and brush teeth, read a bedtime story and then it’s good night and lights out. Always ensure that a child’s room is at a comfortable temperature (the mid sixties is good) and that it is peaceful and quiet. Also many children do not want to be left in the complete darkness while they sleep so getting a nightlight is a worthwhile purchase to make. And remember, stick to the same bedtime every night. An occasional change in the bedtime routine, such as when grandparents visit or during a holiday weekend is one thing, but for the most part, a consistent routine is best.

1 2 »