How to Put a Child Asleep Without TV

If your child has a habit of watching television while you put her younger siblings to bed or she falls asleep with the television on because that's just how she's always fallen asleep, you should consider changing this habit, suggests University of Michigan Medical School. While it may seem like a good way to keep your child still before bedtime, allowing her to watch television or play on the computer is not particularly good for her because lights and sounds and flashing screens stimulate the senses and interfere with restful sleep. Kids who watch television within one to two hours before bedtime or watch television in bed experience a lower quality of sleep than kids who don't.

Instructions

    • 1

      Slow down activity in the house an hour before bedtime with quiet games and puzzles. Turn off the television and the electronic tablet during this time. Have all family members turn off other electronic gadgets such as music players, radios, video games and cell phones. According to MayoClinic.com, winding down for bedtime is hard enough, but if your child sees everyone else watching shows, talking loudly and having fun, she will find getting ready for bed less appealing.

    • 2

      Set a bedtime routine that's calming and logical. For example, give her a warm bath, have her brush her teeth and read her stories before turning out the lights, recommends HealthyChildren.org. If your little one has a tendency to draw out the process of choosing pajamas and getting changed, have her change into her pajamas in the bathroom immediately after her bath. Once she's changed, have her go directly from brushing her teeth to her bed for stories. You don't want her getting revved up by racing around the house after a relaxing bath.

    • 3

      Create a bedroom environment that supports drowsiness while you read her stories before bedtime. Keep the shades drawn and the lights dim. A bright, noisy television show in the background won't calm your child and help her fall asleep. Dim the lights and play a white noise machine or turn her fan on high. Have her lie in bed while you read in a soft, soothing tone.

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