Popular keywords

Mattress quiz
Find a bed that’s the best fit for you

Popular keywords
Sleep is an essential factor for both kids and adults. It aids brain performance, improves overall health, and keeps you in a good mood. When your little one enjoys well-timed and sufficient sleep, they wake up happy! However, to achieve this, it is essential to maintain a certain level of sleep hygiene for kids. Right from bedtime routines to curating comfortable sleep environments, we bring you all the information right ahead.
Sleep hygiene refers to all the good habits one must inculcate to enhance sleep quality and to fall asleep faster. The daytime activities and the nighttime routine plays a vital role here. Developing good sleep hygiene in your little one can make it easier for them to settle to sleep and enjoy undisturbed sleep.
Sleep hygiene is essential for kids because sleep is indispensable to a healthy routine. In fact, studies show that kids who enjoy a good amount of sleep show improved attention, learning, behaviour, and memory. It also aids their overall mental and physical health. Therefore, learning and maintaining sleep hygiene tips for kids is integral.
A sleep hygiene teaching plan for kids includes the following tips;
Look at all the good sleep habits to aid sleep hygiene in your kids. Remember, children between the ages of 3-5 need 10-13 hours of sleep every night, whereas children between the ages of 6-13 need 9-11 hours of sleep per night. Therefore, following the below-mentioned sleep hygiene tips can help your kid enjoy high-quality sleep.
Consistency is the first step to good sleep hygiene. When your child sleeps and wakes up at the same time, they can sleep better. It is important to stick to the same time even during the weekends.
Have a bedtime routine, such as brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas, bath, story, and more. It will create a sense of comfort in children, making it easier for them to fall asleep. A proper bedtime routine also helps your child unwind and relax.
A bed is only for sleep. Therefore, ensure your child doesn’t spend too much time in bed for other non-sleep activities, such as studies or homework. It will stop children from associating the bed with sleep.
How to go to sleep fast? Relaxation techniques can help. So, if your child cannot fall asleep easily, you can opt for relaxation methods, such as visualization, meditation, or listening to soothing music.
In order to fall asleep easily and quickly, you must ensure that the room’s environment is optimal. This includes adjusting the room’s temperature, switching off the lights, etc.
Make sure the clock is not placed in the line of sight, as it can be detrimental to sleep as this creates anxiety.
Ensure your kids avoid highly stimulating activities, such as video games, and exercise just before sleep. In fact, it is also essential to prevent the use of electronic devices at least an hour before bed, as the blue lights it emits can disrupt sleep.
If your child sleeps alone, you can help them sleep with their favourite soft toys or blankets, as this can add a feeling of security.
Exercising during the day can positively affect overall health and help your child sleep well at night.
Sometimes, when your child doesn’t appear tired, you can delay bedtime by 30 minutes. However, make sure you stick to the regular bedtime after that.
Maintain a sleep diary where you will track your child’s sleep times and activities before bed. This will help you understand what works and what doesn’t.
If your child is tossing and turning in bed, then take about 20 minutes to perform a relaxing activity, such as reading a story.
Sometimes, there are a few children who tend to worry before bed. If that’s the case, make sure you do something fun before bedtime. You can also share any fears or concerns they may be feeling and talk about them.
Children can easily fall asleep anywhere. Even when you look back as a kid, there might have been times when you fell asleep on the couch, or the car, and your parents would carry you to bed. However, encourage your kid to go to bed even when they are drowsy.
When you check on your child, do it slowly and without disturbing them.
Now, let’s take a look at how to get the bedroom ready for kids to ensure they maintain sleep hygiene.
For a good night’s rest, optimal room temperature is essential. It is said that between 68 to 72 degrees is the best temperature for sleep.
A noise-free environment is ideal for sleep. If any sound is disturbing your child, you can use white noise devices too.
A dark room is the best for sleeping. However, if too much light streams inside the kid’s room, you can invest in thick curtains.
Aromatherapy can be used for children over the age of five as it helps them relax. Effective oils for sleep are lavender, ginger, peppermint, and orange.
You must visit a healthcare provider if your child shows the following signs.
Sleep hygiene is essential for your kid’s overall well-being. Practising the above-mentioned tips will help your child enjoy quality uninterrupted slumber.
people like this articles