The Importance of Sleep for Your Preschooler-
My little friend Maile is 4. She used to be a happy, fun, sociable girl. But since school started, she’s been crabby, whiny, and prone to meltdowns. At school, she can’t sit still. And today, she got sent home early for biting her friend Joshua. Is Maile in the wrong classroom? Does she need firmer discipline? Might she even have ADD? No – Maile just needs more sleep.
Maile belongs to a majority of children who don’t get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that 69% of children have disturbed sleep at least once a week. Even one hour’s missed sleep means a whole host of problems, including learning, immune, growth, and behavior difficulties. One study even found that inadequate sleep doubles the chance that your child will get hurt accidentally.
It can be a real challenge to get the kids to bed earlier — but something’s gotta give. Cumulative sleep deprivation is just too harmful – for the whole family.
What to do?
- Schedule. Preschoolers need 11 – 13 hours of sleep each day. Think ahead and plan a realistic evening routine.
- Take steps. Set bedtime back by 15 minute increments. Don’t try to do it all in one night – little bodies need time to adjust to the new schedule.
- Unplug. No screen time for at least 60 minutes before bed – Mom and Dad included. High tech gadgets keep our brains in high gear.
- Nutrition. Jettison the junk. Good food begets better sleep.
- Model. Show your kids that Mom and Dad value good sleep too.
- Pull on the Pull Ups. Take the pressure off nighttime potty training if your child needs more zzzzzzs.
Fortunately, Maile’s parents took her sleep situation seriously. Instead of crashing at 9:30, now she’s getting ready for bed by 7 – with lights out at 8. It took a few weeks, but now Maile is used to the new routine. That leaves more time for Mom and Dad, too. And guess what? Maile’s teacher says that she’s “ like a different child – so happy and helpful.” My fun little friend is back!
