Kiddipedia
Get your kids sleep back in shape for start of new school year
One of the first things to be disrupted over the summer break is our sleep. We generally we let our kids go to bed later and they get up later (or not in some cases). By the end of the holidays our kids can be the first to show the effects of lack of sleep. So, how do we get our children back into their normal sleep routine as they head back to school?
Dr Carmel Harrington, ResMed’s Sleep Health Expert, says that getting children back into a regular sleep schedule is key for their learning.
“There are so many reasons why sleep is so vital for children. Firstly, it helps them learn. While we sleep, the brain doesn’t just rest, it rearranges and creates new neural pathways that allow us to bed down memories, make associations, identify patterns and recall information.
“Sleep also encourages creativity. Research has found that sleeping and dreaming have measurable impacts on creativity. And probably most importantly, it boosts your immune system. So, it’s crucial we get children back into the habit of sleeping well and at the right times.”
What can we do to readjust their sleep routines?
“Start making their wake-up time 15 minutes earlier for a few days. This means that they will be tired earlier in the evening and so after a day or so will be able to go to sleep a little bit earlier.
“Then bring their wake-up time another 15 minutes earlier for a few days and then another 15 minutes earlier a few days after that. In this way, you gradually bring their wake-up time forward to where it needs to be without tears or tantrums.”
No doubt, the excitement of going back to school will make getting children off to sleep even more challenging.
Dr Carmel says, “Try winding them down an hour before bed. Switch off all devices and TV. Read a book together for 30 minutes prior and consider their sleep environment. They need the room to be cool and dark. I know that can be challenging if your child needs a night light, so if that’s you, make sure it’s a muted colour and not too bright.”
After a turbulent year for parents and students alike in 2020, setting a healthy sleep routine for your children early in the new school year will give them the best chance at excelling in their learning in 2021. It may even allow you to get an extra hour of rest yourself, which is certainly nothing to yawn at.
About ResMed
At ResMed, we pioneer innovative solutions that treat and keep people out of the hospital, empowering them to live healthier, higher-quality lives. Our digital health technologies and cloud-connected medical devices transform care for people with sleep apnea, COPD, and other chronic diseases. Our comprehensive out-of-hospital software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home or care setting of their choice. By enabling better care, we improve quality of life, reduce the impact of chronic disease, and lower costs for consumers and healthcare systems in more than 140 countries.
With the assurance of our 30 year history and expertise in sleep, ResMed empowers our customers on their journey to an invigorated life through better rest. It’s our mission to breathe new life into overall health and performance, helping you to awaken your best.
The ResMed website offers a range of different products and solutions to cater for all types of sleep-related issues from problems falling asleep to sleep apnea to snoring solutions to overall sleep health. To learn more, visit ResMed.com and follow @ResMed.
