How much sleep does my child need?
The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that children ages 5-10 require 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night while children ages 10 to 17 need 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours. The November issue of Pediatrics shows that “adding an average of 27 minutes to your child’s nightly bedtime will help her better control her emotions and impulsivity during the day. The study also demonstrated that reducing the amount of sleep has the opposite effect causing children to be less able to control unwanted behavior.”
Bedtime target should be set at 8pm. By 7pm all homework should be completed and screen time should be concluded. (TV and video games stimulate the brain and make it harder to go to sleep). The hour before bedtime should be quiet with soft music playing, a warm bath and bedtime story to help children wind down before bed. Avoid sodas or caffeinated beverages at dinnertime and especially before bed. It is essential that parents are firm about bedtime, reminding children who get out of bed that it is bedtime and leading them back to bed. 64 % of children between the ages of 6-12 go to bed later than 9pm every night. Healthy sleep is an essential part of your child’s overall behavior and academic success.
The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that children ages 5-10 require 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night while children ages 10 to 17 need 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours. The November issue of Pediatrics shows that “adding an average of 27 minutes to your child’s nightly bedtime will help her better control her emotions and impulsivity during the day. The study also demonstrated that reducing the amount of sleep has the opposite effect causing children to be less able to control unwanted behavior.”
Bedtime target should be set at 8pm. By 7pm all homework should be completed and screen time should be concluded. (TV and video games stimulate the brain and make it harder to go to sleep). The hour before bedtime should be quiet with soft music playing, a warm bath and bedtime story to help children wind down before bed. Avoid sodas or caffeinated beverages at dinnertime and especially before bed. It is essential that parents are firm about bedtime, reminding children who get out of bed that it is bedtime and leading them back to bed. 64 % of children between the ages of 6-12 go to bed later than 9pm every night. Healthy sleep is an essential part of your child’s overall behavior and academic success.
