|
A Good Night's Sleep for a Good Day in School | Health and Safety Topic of the Month
Elementary school children need 9-10 hours of sleep each night to
be fully rested. Tired children cannot pay attention in class. They
may become "hyper" as they try to keep themselves awake.
Studies have shown a connection between TV viewing and sleep problems
in school-aged children.1
Some of the findings were:
- Children with the most sleep problems have a TV in their bedroom.
- Even G-rated cartoons can be violent. Watching can prevent a child from relaxing.
- Watching TV for more than 1-2 hours before bedtime may interfere with sleep.
The key to falling asleep and sleeping well is to follow a schedule every
day, even on weekends. The routine should include activities that help
children to relax such as:
- Setting a firm bedtime that is followed all seven days of the week.
- Turning off the TV at least one hour before bedtime.
- Avoiding active play at least one hour before bedtime.
- Giving your child a five-minute warning that they will need to stop
whatever they are doing to get ready for bed.
- Taking a warm, relaxing bath or shower.
- Reading, storytelling or some quiet activity prior to bedtime.
- Getting a drink of water before "lights out."
- Sleeping in a bed in a room that is dark and quiet.
Contact your School Based Public Health Nurse for more information.
1
Associated Press, Study Links Children's TV Viewing to Sleep Problems (1999).
Retrieved from www.cnn.com/Health/9909/07/sleepy.students.ap
– Lynn Townsend, RN, School-Based Public Health Nurse
|
|