Benefits of Adequate Sleep for Children

We all know kids need sleep and when they don't get enough sleep their behaviors can be a challenge cope with. Besides making children more pleasurable to be around, sleep is direly needed to allow the brain some downtime to chemically and physically recharge itself.

What Sleep Brings:

• Better mood, along with increased flexibility, adaptability and creativity. 
• Optimum growth, since hormones which stimulate growth are released primarily during sleep.
• Increased immunity, as sleep debt is associated with increased illness.
• A greater capacity to learn, clearer thinking, and increased memory leading to improved school performance and reduced risk of accidents.
• Lower risk of obesity and diabetes as sleep deficiency has been linked to both

The following are sleep recommendations by age according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To Help Aid Sleep:

• Promote plenty of physical activity and time outdoors during the day. 
• Set a soothing bedtime routine with reduced lighting and quiet activities such as bathing and reading. Avoid screens and highly physical activities a couple hours before bed. 
• Limit caffeine intake. 
• Keep screens out of the sleeping area as much as possible. 
• Try to keep the bed as an area primarily for sleep, so the body associates sleep with its location. 
• Keep the room dark. Set a timer on the lights if your child insists the light be left on.
• Ensure the room is at a comfortable sleeping temperature (some studies suggest 65 degrees F)

Be sure you get enough sleep too! You can't take care of others until you have taken care of you:)