Healthy Sleeping Patterns for Children

The Sleep Foundation describes the role of a healthy sleeping pattern is a key contributor to the development of young minds. Also, there is a direct relation to healthy sleeping patterns and overall happiness, as sleep has an effect on cognitive performance, mood, resiliency, learning and memory.

As always, parents are encouraged to consult with a medical professional if there is a concern. The evidence within in this article are for factual purposes only and not intended for medical advice.

According to Stanford Children’s Health, parents can help their children develop healthy sleeping patterns by focusing on what’s important when it comes to sleep. Below are tips to establish healthy sleeping patterns for your children.

The Effects of Not Receiving Enough Sleep on Children

• There is a direct correlation to a child experiencing sleep deprivation and the behavior patterns of a child with ADHD- The Sleep Foundation
• Lack of sleep can cause many problems including decreased brain development, learning problems and more frequent negative emotions. It can also contribute to weight management problems, growth issues and increased frequency of illnesses- The Children’s Hospital of Colorado
• Lack of sleep can cause stress and lowered motivation. Over time, children can begin to develop anxiety and depression- About Kids Health

Tips To Establish Healthy Sleeping Patterns

1. Turn off computer screens and lights well in advance. It is suggested that children “power down” well enough in advance so that children have enough winding down time.

2. Establishing a bedtime routine with the help of your child. Let them decide which thing you both should do first (such as taking a bath, reading, and brushing teeth).

3. Allow your child to choose their favorite bedtime bear or stuffed animal.

4. Take a bath, read a story, or sing a song. For more information on bedtime story book lists, read 90 Of The Best Bedtime Stories. To help your child relax, read The Best Bedtime Stories To Relax Your Child Before Bedtime for an age by age guide to bedtime stories for children.

5. Stay positive and keep practicing! It is suggested that parents do not punish their children for getting up during bedtime. Avoid negative associations with bedtime and reward your child when he or she stays in bed and falls asleep.