Why it’s Important for your Kids to Sleep Early

October 1, 2018 /

By Karli Steenkamp

People do not function well without sleep. We feel miserable, cranky and even a bit emotional. Children need their sleep too. An overtired toddler is like a spitting volcano; it is best to try and avoid it. Everyone’s ability to function normally gets compromised when we do not get sufficient sleep. Sleep is essential to everyone’s well-being. It is crucial that parents ensure that children go to sleep early for many reasons

Why is enough sleep so important?

Sleep has an enormous impact on how children learn, behave, interact and their overall health. A child that does not get enough sleep won’t be able to concentrate when they have to learn. There could also be behavioral problems, because a tired child is also a cranky one. It is of the utmost importance that children get enough sleep to improve concentration, deal with conflicts and interact in positive ways with their peers.

Sleep has a huge biological effect on our bodies. Studies have suggested that children are less likely to be overweight when they get enough sleep. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, when you sleep late at night, you get hungry and will probably have something to eat. Secondly, little sleep affects your metabolism. Our bodies work when we sleep and that is when most of our food gets digested. However, if we do not sleep enough, our bodies make more of the hormones that tell us that we are hungry.

Another biological aspect is that sleep improves our immune systems. Lack of sleep puts your child at higher risk of illness. Sleep terrors and sleepwalking has also been connected to the lack of sleep.

According to Kidshealth, sleep helps your brain to rest and store information. Your cells repair when you sleep and that is when most of the growing in children takes place. If they do not rest enough, their growth could be compromised.

 

How much sleep does a child need?

Every child is unique and has different needs. Sleeping is important for everyone, but how sleep is spread depends from child to child. The amount of sleep a child needs, decreases as they get older. Here is a guideline of how much sleep children needs and it includes daytime naps.

  • 4 – 12 months need 12 – 16 hours sleep a day
  • 1 – 2 years need 11 – 14 hours a day
  • 3 – 5 years need 10 – 13 hours a day
  • 6 – 12 years need 9 – 12 hours a day
  • 13 – 18 years need 8 – 10 hours per day

Routine, Routine, Routine!

Children function better on routine. When they know what to expect, they are more confident, cooperative and have fewer tantrums. Be consistent every day. Have a routine that fits in with the whole family, so that everyone can be involved in bedtime. Do calming activities before bed. Watching television can be over stimulating for children and can make it harder to fall asleep.

Try and get your child to fall asleep on their own. Sleeping time is when anxiety usually makes an appearance, so make sure your child is in the same room every night. A teddy bear or blanket can help reduce anxiety. Put a nightlight on and make sure that the room is not warm or too cold. Pajamas should be comfortable and not too hot either.

A healthy routine could be the following:

  • Bath
  • Pajamas
  • A snack (not full of sugar) to prevent the hunger cries as they are about to fall asleep.
  • Brush their teeth.
  • Read or tell a story.
  • Goodnight kisses.
  • Leave the room.

In our busy lives, a routine can be challenging but certainly worth it for a peaceful household. This helps your child to get enough sleep and prepares them for the day ahead. Sleeping will become less of a hassle once a good routine is set in place and this will help everyone in the house get a good night’s rest. Having enough sleep has so many benefits and is essential to a happy child. If you have tried everything and your child still does not want to sleep, you should talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. A sleeping child is a happy child (and happy parents!)

References:

Webmd[Text Wrapping Break]Restonic[Text Wrapping Break]CNN Health[Text Wrapping Break]Kids Health[Text Wrapping Break]Life Education[Text Wrapping Break]Sleep for kids