Most parents will be only too familiar with the bedtime battle, trying to convince children to sleep, even as they get older we are battling to the external influences of social media and children/teenagers wanting to stay up later – also as parents we sometimes want our children to stay up as we enjoy their company, however, to what price are we placing upon our children’s wellbeing by allowing them to stay up late.
Studies have shown that children who suffer from sleep deprivation and more likely to find it difficult to concentrate within the classroom setting due to lack of concentration and not being able to take in their lessons.
Studies have also shown that obesity can be linked to lack of sleep due to the reduction of the hormone leptin which is reduced by 15%. This hormone is responsible for suppressing a person’s appetite The following article from science daily shows evidence from this research
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417080350.htm
The following behaviour in children can all be indicators referring to lack of sleep in children.
- Defiant Behaviour
- Outbursts of hyper activity
- Children finding it difficult to sleep resulting to them identifying with being hungry and saying they are not tired
- Children who are past having day time sleep may find they are falling asleep on car journeys
- Or having long naps during the day and become difficult to wake from an afternoon sleep
- Children may become over emotional
The following link takes you to the NHS recommendations as to how much sleep a child should have in relation to their age
www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-much-sleep-do-kids-need/
in order to create the perfect bedtime routine, children must have all electronic devices away from them for at least 1 hr prior to going to bed, milk is the perfect drink as it is believed to contain Tryptophan which when released to the brain converts to Melatonin which help induce sleep. A bedtime story to younger children can just slow the pace and allow children to concentrate on one thing rather than the busy hub which are homes become.
As our age increases, light sleepers become increasingly at risk from dementia and Parkinson’s due to part of the rain becoming damaged which can play a role in light sleepers. Mental health has also been associated with sleep deprivation along with anxiety, weakened immune system and anxiety. In short we – our bodies require a good amount of sleep in order to stay healthy and function to the high level which we expect them to: the following article outlines the importance of sleep as we age, this is when many of us may feel we don’t require as much sleep as younger people, however this is an unfounded myth.
www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health
At hbtutoring.com we will always asses the children’s wellbeing and tailor lessons to which are appropriate to their needs, we liaise with schools to identify areas why may identify lack of sleep and help to get the best for your child and ensure they don’t become overwhelmed with what is being asked from them both at home and school.