It’s getting darker earlier, and while I miss the long summer nights, I’m always a little glad when fall comes and I can get my kids to bed at a decent time again!
Did you know that kids who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, injuries, poor mental health, and problems with attention and behavior?
The CDC recommends that children (6–12 years old) should regularly sleep 9–12 hours each night and teenagers (13–18 years old) should sleep 8–10 hours each night. Studies were done to see how many kids were getting adequate sleep using these guidelines and results showed that anywhere from 57-72% of kids don’t get the sleep they should.
Here are some tips for getting kids the sleep they need:
- Set a consistent bedtime and stick to it. For the most part, your child should be going to be at the same time and waking up at the same time.
- Limit the amount of screen your child has at night. Consider having a media curfew and encourage them to pick up a paperback book to read in their beds.
- Make sure their bedroom is dark, quiet, and relaxing.
- Avoid large meals and caffeine before bedtime.
- Get moving! Getting exercise during the day will help your child fall asleep better at night.
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