Importance of Sleep For Kids
We always hear about how kids should get plenty of rest, but it has often been shown, that not getting the proper amount of rest greatly increases the chances of:
and the list goes on. Simply going to bed a little earlier can help in getting a good night’s sleep. A day or two of insomnia is usually nothing to worry about, but chronic sleep deprivation can result in all sorts of problems for kids.
Sleep problems are more common than we think among kids. When kids sleep, they switch between REM sleep and non-REM sleep. While in REM sleep mode, the eyes tend to move around faster, the body does not move much and the child dreams. REM is a lighter stage of sleep from which it is easier to awaken. Non-REM sleep or NREM is a deeper sleep. Infants can go through the complete sleep cycle in about an hour, so they are often in the lighter sleep mode and can wake up several times in the night.
As kids get older, they still need to get plenty of sleep. Kids should be getting 9-12 hours of sleep a night. Tweens (Ages 9-12) should be getting at least 10 hours of sleep during these formative years.
It will be an individual amount of sleep for each child and these are only guidelines, but there are signs that a child may not be getting enough sleep.
If a child is having trouble falling asleep within 15-30 minutes, or they cannot be woken up easily in the morning or if they need naps during the day in their tween and teen years, then they are probably not getting enough sleep.
Teens face their own challenges when not getting the correct amount of sleep each night. They may even fall asleep during class when not getting enough ZZZs. If they are drinking caffeinated beverages or coffee and also not getting enough sleep, it can wreak havoc on the teen body. The teen body is already going through hormone changes. Melatonin is produced later at night in teens which can make it harder for them to fall asleep.
Coupled with the stress of increasing pressure at school, social activities and even a teen job, the mind and body go through abrupt changes which can disrupt sleeping patterns. In the short term, a teen may not notice that getting by on 6 or 7 hours of sleep is doing any harm, but the problems compound and become cumulative.
Emotional problems can increase substantially and the best way to start reversing this process is to make sure enough hours are left in the night and morning hours for quality sleep. A regular bedtime needs to be established. Exercise throughout the day is also important for a better sleep. No caffeine in the afternoon or evening as it takes hours for caffeine to work it’s way through the body.
Regular study habits will avoid the last minute scramble to pull of the “all-nighter”. Although it may seem heroic to do one, it just leaves you tired, cranky and worst of all less able to concentrate on the subject matter during an actual test or exam.
Make sure your child functions to their best potential by helping them realize the importance of sleep and getting enough ZZZs.
A new website for kids emphasizing and empowering kids to get involved with health, fitness, activities such as kids dance, gymnastics, sports and a whole section on body image and a video on the importance of sleep. http://www.fitforafeast.com/body_image_important_sleep.htm
GlenAbbey.ca ( http://www.glenabbey.ca ) is a family oriented community in Oakville, Ontario Canada.
