Children need all the sleep they can get in order for them to function and learn properly So how can you help your child get this much needed rest after active learning
The key to doing this is by establishing good sleeping habits While there arent any hard and fast rules for sleeping habits here are a few that can help you put your child to bed faster
Get sleep troubles out of the way
Picture this scenario its 9 pm on a school night way past your childs bedtime Theyve had a very long day of learning both at school and via online platforms such as Brighterly However theyre still not ready to go to bed and would throw a tantrum each time you suggest a nap What could be the cause Well answer that for you
In some cases children might feel reluctant to go to bed simply because theyre experiencing sleeping troubles As a parent youll certainly have better luck with putting your child to bed once you eliminate these roadblocks
But how can you tell if your child has sleep struggles Well here are a few tell tale signs
Trouble falling asleep This is obviously a no brainer If your child keeps trying to fall asleep without success theyre definitely experiencing a sleep struggle and its advisable to discuss this with a doctor
Loud or heavy breathing While loud breathing may seem normal it could also be an indicator that something is wrong
Behavioral changes Typically when a child struggles with sleep this often plays out in their behavior They become cranky sleepy or overly tired If your child displays any or all of that behavioral changes it may be a sign that theyre struggling with sleep
Set bedtime routines
Trying to get your hyperactive child to bed after a long day of school Maybe its time to set bedtime routines Children love routines and an appropriate bedtime routine can help get them to bed faster than any magic trick you could pull off According to a study by JA Mindell et al having a consistent nighttime routine helps to improve sleep in children
Wondering how it works Well its quite simple really Having a routine that culminates into bedtime gives them a sense of control over their lives In the same vein it also helps their mind and body to associate routine activities with bedtime including the traditional design of the home everywhere As such once they begin the routine eg brushing their teeth or putting on their PJs it sends a message to their brain and theyll begin to feel sleepy
Easy peasy
Set sleep schedules
Without sleep schedules its easy for kids to get insufficient sleep which could affect their day to day lives Much like bedtime routines a sleep schedule plays a huge role in helping children get to bed especially after a long day of school
Set a regular bedtime for them and ensure that you stick to it For instance you could set their bedtime at 800 pm on school nights and 830 on weekends It may be hard for them to adjust at first but in no time you wont have any difficulty with getting them to bed once its bedtime
In the same vein its important to set regular waking up times to ensure that they dont oversleep and miss the most important part of their day
Layout the right environment
Typically after a long day of learning or playing kids math games children might feel overstimulated and this affects their sleep A great way to combat this hurdle is by ensuring that their sleeping environment is set properly This way theyll feel encouraged to go to bed
Ensure that the house is quiet and their room is dark If theyre scared of the dark you might want to adjust their lighting or switch on a bedside lamp Also turn off any devices that may distract them such as an iPad or tablet
In the same vein to encourage them to sleep ensure that the room temperature is set just right During winter warm blankets and thick PJs should be the order of the day If its a hot summer night youll need to put on a fan or cooling unit and dress your kid in light clothes This way theyll be soothed right to sleep
Ensure that they have their best friends beside them
Bedtime can feel like a death sentence for children who suffer from separation anxiety Theyll struggle to sleep because they feel alone and lonely So how can you get past this hurdle A great way to do this is by providing their favorite teddy bear weighted blanket or squishy animal This will help to soothe and comfort them while making them feel secure at the same time
An alternative way to help soothe your child to sleep is by lying beside them until they finally sleep off For children who have issues sleeping having a parent beside them can be reassuring and provide them with a sense of security This way theyll be able to fall asleep immediately without feeling anxious or scared
Meet their demands
Kids always have a nighttime demand a cuddle their favorite song a snack etc If youre trying to get your child to bed after a long day of school its advisable to meet their reasonable demands Sing them a lullaby if they want or read their favorite bedtime story
However its important to remain firm even while heeding these requests Dont let them stay up longer to listen to one more story or lullaby Remember the earlier they go to bed the easier theyd find their bedtime routine after a while
Final Thoughts
Are you trying to get your kid to bed with no success Youre not alone Most parents often struggle with getting their kids to sleep after a busy day Luckily there are numerous strategies that can help you combat this hurdle and help your child sleep better
Try to lay a firm bedtime routine for your kids and ensure that they stick to it consistently This way theyll begin to associate those activities with bedtime and find it easier to sleep once theyve completed the tasks You might also want to consider seeing a doctor if your child keeps showing signs of sleep troubles
We hope these tips help Good luck
Your effort in guiding your students in developing good sleep habits is a good step towards high performing students Besides this you are instilling skills and knowledge that will help them now and in the future Go ahead and prepare lectures about the importance of sleep and teach them healthy sleep habits to practice at home You can also hire experts to write articles on the scientific aspect of sleep Help your students make self observations of the impact of sleep on their performance the next day Lastly extend this information to their parents
FREE Pediatric Sleep Studies e book
Authors Bio Jessica Kaminski is a mathematics tutor with almost a decade of experience in the educational sector A true academic Jessica is passionate about helping children learn to love and understand math When shes not teaching you can find her reading her favorite books
