How to Develop Good Sleeping Habits In Children

According to WebMD, during his childhood, your child will spend 40 percent of his time sleeping. A good night̵7;s sleep is something children of all ages need for optimum growth and development and something all parents need for optimum patience and daily rejuvenation. Helping your child to establish a dependable sleep routine will enable him to create lifelong habits which offer physical, emotional, and intellectual benefits and can help your whole family enjoy this time of day with less stress and more relaxation.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn how much sleep your child needs. According the the National Sleep Foundation, newborns up to 2 months old need 12 to 18 hours; infants 3 to 11 months need 14 to 15 hours; toddlers up to 3 years need 12 to 14 hours; preschoolers up to 5 years need 11 to 13 hours; school-age children up to 10 years need 10 to 11 hours; and teens up to 17 years need 8 1/2 to 9 1/4 hours of sleep each night. Not getting the recommended amount of sleep can lead to behavioral issues, irritability, and higher levels of stress and depression -- plus lower grades and weight issues.

    • 2

      Create a family plan that all caregivers will stick to, and discuss it ahead of time with your child. For a very young child, consider using a picture chart to help her visualize steps in her routine, such as brushing teeth and story time. Other things you might want to include: a pre-brushing snack and final sip of water, setting the room̵7;s lighting and temperature and letting her choose a lovey, such as a special blanket to sleep with.

    • 3

      Choose the right time to implement your new plan. For instance, a weekend is usually a good time, whereas trying a new bedtime routine right before relatives come to visit or when your child is potty training will decrease the likelihood of its success.

    • 4

      Practice your routine during the day first before implementing it. This will allow you to iron out any kinks in your system, answer any questions your child might have about what is expected of him and be sure you haven̵7;t forgotten an important step.

    • 5

      Stick with your plan, as hard as it may seem at the time. If your child gets out of bed for a glass of water or one more story, quietly take her hand and lead her back to bed without discussion or arguing. Doing this consistently will let her know the routine is set and needs to be followed.

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