IS YOUR CHILD GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?
As a parent, it’s important to make sure your child gets enough sleep. Not only does sleep help keep kids healthy and alert during the day, but it also helps them develop cognitively and emotionally. So, how do you know if your child gets the right amount of sleep each night? Let’s take a look at some of the signs that indicate your child might need more rest.
SIGNS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION IN CHILDREN
The first sign your child needs to get more rest is if they are consistently cranky or irritable during the day. It can be frustrating when your little one won’t stop crying or tantruming. But most of the time it’s because they’re exhausted and need to catch up on some sleep. Other common signs of sleep deprivation in children include difficulty concentrating and poor performance at school. If your kid is having trouble focusing on tasks or their grades have suddenly taken a nose-dive, then it could be due to a lack of restful sleep.
Another sign that your child might not be sleeping enough is nighttime resistance. If you have to fight with your kid every night over bedtime, then they may take more shut-eye during the day. Finally, if you notice any physical changes, such as dark circles under their eyes or paleness in their skin tone, these are all indicators that something might be off with their sleeping schedule
HOW MUCH SLEEP DO CHILDREN NEED?
The amount of sleep each child needs varies depending on age. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, toddlers should get 11-14 hours of sleep every night, while preschoolers should get 10-13 hours daily. For school-aged children (ages 5-12), experts recommend 9-11 hours per night, while teens should aim for 8-10 hours each night.
BOTTOM LINE
It’s important to ensure your child gets enough restful sleep each night to stay physically and mentally healthy. To ensure this happens, create a consistent bedtime routine that works for you and stick with it as much as possible—that way both you and your little one will know what to expect come bedtime every evening. Additionally, pay attention to any signs mentioned above (that could indicate a disruption in their regular sleeping pattern). So you can address it before things get out of control.
