If your child has difficulty concentrating in school or has become more irritable than usual, there may be something specific you can do. Often, lack of sleep is the culprit behind unusual mood swings or slipping performance in school or sports.
“While adults may suffer from daytime sleepiness due to inadequate sleep, children tend to become hyperactive when they are overtired,” says James Kemp, MD, medical co-director of the pediatric sleep laboratory and sleep medicine at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “If your child is acting differently and appears to be highly distractible, try getting him to bed an hour earlier for a week. If this doesn’t work, talk with your child’s pediatrician about other possible solutions.”
The Importance of Routine
Sleep requirements can be met, in part, through naps for little ones. Naps are an important part of life for toddlers and should be part of their daily routine. Small children are constantly processing new information, and naps allow their brains to rest and reset, helping to positively impact their learning and development.
When it comes to establishing a set bedtime at night, children need structure to help them maintain a regular schedule. As parents, there are certain things you can do to make bedtime run smoothly, such as not letting your child have drinks with caffeine less than six hours before going to bed or turning off the television and not playing video or computer games one hour prior to bedtime.
“To help your child become accustomed to a routine, you must set rules before bedtime and stick to them,” says Sharon Bathon, RN, sleep nurse coordinator at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “If you go to your child every time she cries, she will continue to do so. Assure her you are there for her, but let her know bedtime is not negotiable. In time, she will stop fighting you and understand it’s just a part of her day.”
Call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll free 800.678.KIDS for a referral to a sleep specialist.