Establish a proper sleep pattern for your kid

The next time you feel that your child is irritable in the mornings or at later parts of the day, one of the first things to check out is if he is getting enough sleep. I came across this article that talks about why sleep is important for everyone, especially children, and the impact that lack of sleep can have. The details may sound a bit scary, but this is a real issue, and as parents we should do all we can to ensure our child gets a good night’s sleep. Here are some things we can do: Treat sleep-time as non-negotiable on sleep nights. Depending on the age of your child, she may need 10-12 hours of sleep at night. So if you have a time of 8 o’clock for going to sleep, this should not be sidelined by an event such as guests coming over. Very occasionally, this may be allowed, but on such days ensure that your child takes a nap in the afternoon to make up for the missed sleep.

Proper Sleep for Kids
Photo Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slightlyeverything/6167304909/

Have a consistent winding down routine. If your child needs to be in bed by 8, make sure that the events of the day start slowing down at least a half hour before. Give adequate time for routines of having a bath, brushing teeth, or maybe even a bedtime story where younger kids are concerned. Keeping this consistent sets the tone for your child, and in a little while you will find them doing it themselves. Reduce or eliminate anything disturbing. This means avoiding violent programs on television that could be disturbing for the mind, as well as physical influences such as sugary drinks or sweets that are disturbing for digestion. This also includes digital influences such as video or TV games that tend to increase adrenaline and delay sleep. Ensure that your child understands the reasons for avoiding these; you would be surprised at how fast even young children pick up and stick to such routines. It may take a little time to establish consistent and strict sleep guidelines, but once you make a start, you will definitely see a difference in energy levels in your child. At ALOHA, we can help your children with their study routines, with our Math and English classes. Do have a look at our website for more details: http://www.aloha-usa.com