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Sleep is an essential building block for your child’s mental and physical health. Sleep plays a crucial role in the development of young minds. In addition to having a direct effect on happiness, research shows that sleep impacts alertness and attention, cognitive performance and mood. Sleep also has important effects on growth, especially in early infancy.¹

Bedtime routines are important for children. Regardless of age, regular schedules and bedtime rituals help us get the sleep we need and give us the ability to function at peak levels. When it comes to children, having a routine is especially important. Establishing and maintaining a good sleep habit helps your child fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up rested and refreshed. It may also prevent future sleep problems. Good sleep habits can not only take the stress out of bedtime, but it can be the special time for you and your child.

Each individual has their own sleep needs. Your child is unique. The following guidelines have been shown to be effective. ²

So a typical bedtime routine might include: ¹

1. Turning off computers, TV screens, video games, and other bright lights
2. Putting on pyjamas and brushing teeth
3. Reading a light book, singing a lullaby, or taking a bath

Now some times our children are going to bed a bit late, here is how to fix it:

The best time to put your child to bed is when they’re sleepy, not when they’re already asleep. This helps them learn how to fall asleep on their own. Figure out what their sleep schedule needs to be for the school year and start adjusting a couple of weeks before the first day of school. Put your child to bed 15 minutes earlier each night, and then wake them up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. Continue to adjust the schedule gradually until you have achieved the desired schedule. The good news is that after investing the initial effort to establish regular bed and wake times, your child’s body clock will automatically align with a regular schedule.³

Dr Lina Moghnieh

Paediatrician 

¹https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep

²https://www.webmd.com/parenting/childs-bedtime#

³https://www.slma.cc/the-importance-of-a-sleep-schedule/#