One of the most important aspects of your child’s healthy life is having a routine. In that routine, one of the most crucial parts is sleep. A child who is lacking sleep will have a low attention span and tends to show hyperactivity; thus they will not perform at 100%. While preparing for my teaching career in college, I learned that many children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are really just simply sleep deprived!
Other issues seen with children who are lacking sleep are being forgetful, being grumpy, and not listening. So, you may ask, “How can I help my child get better sleep?” While I definitely don’t claim to be an expert, I do have some suggestions that may help you and your child get into a better sleep routine.
1. Make the bedtime routine the same every night. Our bedtime routine goes something like this:
-bathtime
-teeth brushing
-pajama dressing
-storytime
-prayers
-sleep
2. Stick to the same bedtime every night. Of course special events may happen that throws everything off, but on normal evenings, try to get the routine started at the same time.
3. Make sure your child’s room is conductive to sleep. You want it dark and as distraction free as possible. For instance, putting your child to sleep in the living room in front of the TV is not a healthy habit.
4. Encourage your child to fall asleep on their own. While I am a big believer in doing what works for you and your child, children do need to learn to “lull” themselves to sleep. You don’t want to make them dependent on you to be put to sleep (example: being rocked to sleep) as this is a hard habit to break and may lead to sleep issues later in life.
It is also important to make sure your child is getting enough sleep. The amount they need varies depending on age. You can find the recommendations HERE. Children who get adequate amounts of sleep are happier, more cooperative, and overall, just more healthy.
Sharon is a wife, mother, and certified elementary school teacher. She blogs at Momondealz where her goal is to help you conquer your budget, one deal at a time.
Photo credit: Bensonsforbeds
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