Few people know - and fewer practice - one of the secrets to successful child rearing: children thrive when their lives are run on a schedule. Childhood experts say that a regular routine lowers stress in kids and families in general. Kids feel more secure, and their needs are met to a greater degree. Bedtime rituals for children have long been a cherished part of family life, even for those who fail to establish a routine for other activities.
A ritual is often thought of as religious, but this is not necessarily true. The main thing about a ritual is that it involves repetitive actions, is practiced on a regular basis, and has particular importance attached to it by practitioners. Therefore, any established series of actions can be ritualistic. This concept fits very well into the scheduled life that fosters emotional and physical health in kids.
Sleep deprivation is a health hazard, and many children suffer from this because they don't go to bed early enough or sleep soundly through the night. This puts a strain on all members of the family. An established time for bed can help children settle at night, and it gives parents a much-needed break in the evening. Scheduling this time - if no other - can improve the quality of family life.
There should be a time before bed that helps children relax. This is preparation for sleep, so rough housing or noisy activity should be discouraged. Researchers say that the blue light of television and computer screens sends a 'wake up' signal to our brain, so all electronic devices should be turned off at least one hour before bed. Soft yellow light promotes relaxation, and dark rooms make for better sleep.
So - getting the kids away from the television and making computer games off-limits in the evening is a good thing. If a special time is set for this end-of-day restriction, other things can be substituted. One way to do this is to send the kids off to get in their pajamas - with as much help as is necessary - and brush their teeth. A warm bath is known to enhance restful night, so this could be included, too.
Storybook authors and publishers have cashed in on the almost universal love of reading stories to kids tucked up in bed. This is a time-honored bonding time for families and one of the standard components of a happy childhood. Little ones often fall asleep when a favorite story is being read, and older kids should be relaxed at the end of this quiet time.
Anything relaxing can be included, like singing (lullabies, hymns, or songs parents remember from their childhood), saying prayers, listening to music, watching fireflies out the window, or listening to night sounds. As kids get older, reading a chapter of an interesting book each night can be fun. Kids can even read to themselves for a while before its time for a goodnight kiss and lights out.
The main problem with scheduled activities is that they require self-discipline on the part of the adults, who seem to be harder and harder to engage. However, studies show that having this sort of regular routine is much more beneficial than most people realize.
A ritual is often thought of as religious, but this is not necessarily true. The main thing about a ritual is that it involves repetitive actions, is practiced on a regular basis, and has particular importance attached to it by practitioners. Therefore, any established series of actions can be ritualistic. This concept fits very well into the scheduled life that fosters emotional and physical health in kids.
Sleep deprivation is a health hazard, and many children suffer from this because they don't go to bed early enough or sleep soundly through the night. This puts a strain on all members of the family. An established time for bed can help children settle at night, and it gives parents a much-needed break in the evening. Scheduling this time - if no other - can improve the quality of family life.
There should be a time before bed that helps children relax. This is preparation for sleep, so rough housing or noisy activity should be discouraged. Researchers say that the blue light of television and computer screens sends a 'wake up' signal to our brain, so all electronic devices should be turned off at least one hour before bed. Soft yellow light promotes relaxation, and dark rooms make for better sleep.
So - getting the kids away from the television and making computer games off-limits in the evening is a good thing. If a special time is set for this end-of-day restriction, other things can be substituted. One way to do this is to send the kids off to get in their pajamas - with as much help as is necessary - and brush their teeth. A warm bath is known to enhance restful night, so this could be included, too.
Storybook authors and publishers have cashed in on the almost universal love of reading stories to kids tucked up in bed. This is a time-honored bonding time for families and one of the standard components of a happy childhood. Little ones often fall asleep when a favorite story is being read, and older kids should be relaxed at the end of this quiet time.
Anything relaxing can be included, like singing (lullabies, hymns, or songs parents remember from their childhood), saying prayers, listening to music, watching fireflies out the window, or listening to night sounds. As kids get older, reading a chapter of an interesting book each night can be fun. Kids can even read to themselves for a while before its time for a goodnight kiss and lights out.
The main problem with scheduled activities is that they require self-discipline on the part of the adults, who seem to be harder and harder to engage. However, studies show that having this sort of regular routine is much more beneficial than most people realize.
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