Children Getting Enough Sleep

What if you were told that one little thing could make a world of difference in your tween? Not only can this tiny thing help your child perform better, but it can also help him avoid mood swings and even maintain better health. Know what that thing is? It's sleep! And believe it or not, this thing that we take for granted is a powerhouse when it comes to helping us a healthy life. Sleep problems can lead to many other challenges for teens and can be easily avoided.

Healthy Sleep Routines for Children

Sleep is a normal bodily function that most people don't take seriously enough. And, teens are some of the worst offenders. From computers to televisions, texting to video games, kids are hitting the hay later and later, and they are being negatively impacted as a result. Not getting enough sleep each night can cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and more! To avoid sleep deprivation in your teen, make sure he gets a9-10 hours of sleep every night.

Encouraging More Sleep

So, how do you get your teen to sleep? Try these tips:

• Discuss the importance of sleep with your child so he knows that problems can arise from being sleep deprived.
• Create a bedtime routine and stick to it! This is the most effective way to help your teen meet his sleep requirement. You can even set up a bedtime routine chart so he can keep track and receive rewards for going to bed on time each night.
• Be consistent with the bedtime routine in order to make it a habit. While you may find occasional reasons to stray from a routine, such as being on vacation, your child needs to know that the routine is consistent, and it is for his own good.
• Avoid letting your child take afternoon naps, unless he is ill, or he will have difficulty going to sleep when bedtime rolls around.
• Help your child create an environment that is conducive to proper sleep. Get rid of the television, keep the room a comfortable temperature, make sure it's quiet, etc. Distractions are a leading cause of sleep problems for children.
• It is also important to be a good role model when it comes to getting enough sleep. Today's sleep deprived kids are being raised by equally sleep deprived adults. If you demonstrate that you take getting enough sleep serious, your child will be more open to it as well.

Seeing Results After Children Get Enough Sleep

Once you get your child on a healthy sleep schedule and routine, you will notice a difference in his behavior. From being easier to get along with to performing better in school, the benefits are numerous. Just be consistent, and you will have him losing the yawns in no time!