The Whole Truth About Schoolkids’ Sleep: How to Take Good Care of Your Kids’ Sleep?
Every person needs sleep. Going to school and learning require effort from kids, and that’s why it’s important that their sleep is in order.
A kid who has slept too little and poorly is cranky and unhappy, so it’s no wonder if they become reluctant towards school and learning.
Brain scientist Jaan Aru says that a lot of research has convincingly shown that good sleep is the basis for good health, wellbeing, and mental fitness. “So, it’s interesting, sad, and ironic that humans are the only species that voluntarily and intentionally reduces their sleep dose. It’s as if we’re investing in our health: we exercise, eat organically, drink smoothies, but wake up using an alarm clock, drink several cups of coffee or energy drinks during the day, and our life goes on,” he wonders and adds, “We hear people saying that sleep is for the weak. In fact, sleep is for the wise.”
Schoolkids also often sleep less than they should. They sit behind their smart devices during evenings or watch TV for far too long late at night. Yet, sleeping in the morning feels so good that a sleepy, cranky, and tired kid doesn’t wake up until the last minute.
The need for sleep of schoolkids in primary school is more than ten hours and at least eight hours in high school. Kids in primary school normally don’t need daily naps, but it would be good if they could have a few peaceful hours in the middle of the day.
In case of good sleep, kids pass more or less an equal amount of sleeping cycles during the night that consist of phases of sleep. During childhood, there are much more phases of deep sleep, the importance of which is related to growth hormone secretion. So, it’s true – kids actually grow at night.
As they grow, the number of sleeping cycles decreases, and the cycles become longer, whereas waking up during the night becomes more frequent. Despite that, most school-aged kids sleep without waking up until morning.
What can we do to help schoolkids sleep?
The school year has just begun, and kids are still adjusting to the school routine. The good suggestions of Unekool.ee are of helpful to know how to get your kid’s sleep in order so that they could go to school happy and get smart.
1. During the first couple of months, make sure your kid doesn’t have too many activities in addition to school. It would be good if they could prepare for bed peacefully every night. They should start going to bed just a little earlier every evening and gradually wake up earlier in the morning.
2. Find out how much sleep your kid needs at their age. Generally, children attending kindergarten need 10 to 13, children in elementary and primary school need 9 to 11, and high school students need 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night.
3. (Re)start a pre-sleep routine. Recurring calming activities every evening help kids to prepare for falling asleep. Read or color a book together, draw something, or do yoga.
4. Make sure that your kid’s bedroom is suitable for peaceful sleep. There should be as few things as possible that draw attention and take away sleep. If necessary, rearrange the furniture or paint the walls using a calming color.
5. Create a space for smart devices at home to where the whole family can take their phones and tablets to rest and charge. For schoolkids it’s very important that they don’t take these devices to their bedroom. Smart devices should be taken to that special space at least an hour before going to bed.
6. The beginning of school often brings along anxiety and stress. That’s completely normal. Take time to sit down with your kid and let them talk about their feelings and potential problems. Comfort them and confirm they can always turn to you.
7. Every day, ask your kid how their school day went. Talk about your own great school memories. With smaller kids, organize extra-school meetings with classmates. That way your little one finds friends faster and awaits school with greater joy.
8. If your kid has problems getting up early, set up an alarm. Make sure they get used to not getting out of bed before the alarm. That way your kid can just lay in bed and collect their thoughts for school peacefully.
And what’s most important – make sure your kid’s bed equipment is comfortable and of quality. See our selection on Slept.ee.
Read the original article from the portal of Kodugeenius.
