A good night’s sleep is essential for learning.
When a child gets enough good-quality sleep, he awakens by himself the next morning. To do that, he must stay asleep when he goes to sleep.
Research has shown that poor sleep or not enough sleep affects a child’s attention, concentration, memory, and learning.
In these days of excessive electronic gadgets, online schooling, and remote learning, parents need all the help they can get in every area that impacts learning.
Here are 5 tips to help your child fall asleep easier and stay asleep for the entire night:
- Set up A bedtime routine
- Good sleep patterns are developed by a regular bedtime routine.
- Keep regular sleep and wake times
- Keep your child’s bedtime and wake time within a 1-hour window each day. This gives the body clock a regular pattern. Maintain those hours on weekends and holidays also.
- Make your child feel safe at bedtime
- Many children are afraid of the dark and feel scared when they must go to bed in a dark room. Make sure they do not watch scary shows or play frightening computer games. Also, place a night light in their rooms.
- Avoid the Clock
- If you have a clock-watcher, move the clock or cover it so that your child cannot see it while in bed.
- Get natural light during the day
- Make it your duty to ensure your child gets plenty of natural light during the day, especially in the morning. The bright light will suppress his melatonin and help him feel awake and alert in the daytime.
A number of developmental processes occur during a child’s sleep. Every parent should prioritize their efforts to ensure their children get proper and sufficient sleep.
Does your child have sleep issues?
As a natural night owl, I always had sleep issues when I was a kid. My brain was super active at bedtime and I spent lots of time just staring out the window and letting my imagination go wild. As an adult, I can honor my odd circadian rhythm, but, as a kid, that wasn’t permitted. I always felt as if I were defective because I wanted to be active at night and asleep in the morning. The world is not designed for people like me.
Both my daughter and I are night owls too. I intentionally work on going to bed early and waking up early, since I learned about the health benefits of doing so.
Great suggestions. I especially like the get enough sunlight.
Yes, Cheryl. The health benefits of sunlight are amazing but so often neglected.
all great tips for sure; and I know I am a clock watcher myself so that tip is so needed even for me 🙂 I sometimes move it out of sight with that very intent
Thanks for validating my point, Vidya. Tips to improve children’s sleep work for adults also.