Bermuda Parent Teacher Student Association School Year 2010-2011 Sleep Campaign Bermuda Parent Teacher Student Association School Year 2010-2011

What is Sleep? Collins Dictionary says sleep is a noun - a state of rest during which eyes are closed, the muscles and nerves are relaxed and the mind is unconscious. Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or "quiet" sleep. During the deep states of NREM sleep, blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored, tissue growth and repair occur, and important hormones are released for growth and development. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or "active" sleep. During REM sleep, our brains are active and dreaming occurs. Our bodies become immobile, breathing and heart rates are irregular.

How much sleep does your child need? Preschoolers typically sleep 11-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. Children aged five to 12 need 10-11 hours of sleep Teenagers age 13 to 19 need 8-10 hours of sleep.

How much Sleep you Child needs

How to get your child to sleep. Sleep Tips for Preschoolers Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. Have a relaxing bedtime routine that ends in the room where the child sleeps. Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is cool, quiet and dark – and without a TV.

How to get your child to sleep Sleep Tips for School-aged Children Teach school-aged children about healthy sleep habits. Continue to emphasize need for regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine. Make child's bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool and quiet. Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom. Avoid caffeine.

How to get your child to sleep Sleep Tips for Teenagers Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. Make teenager's bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool and quiet. Keep TV, computers and cell phones out of the bedroom. Avoid caffeine.

Disadvantages of little sleep Preschoolers Sleep problems and disorders are prevalent at this age. Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and cognitive problems that impact on their ability to learn in school. School age The problems at this age are the same as Preschoolers. At the same time, there is an increasing demand on their time from school (e.g., homework), sports and other extracurricular and social activities

Disadvantages of little sleep Teenagers become more interested in TV, computers, the media and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep. In particular, watching TV close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours.

How much sleep is your child getting 6 pm 7 pm 8 pm 9 pm 10 pm 11 pm 12 am 5:30 am 11.5 hrs 10.5 hrs 9.5 hrs 8.5 hrs 7.5 hrs 6.5 hrs 5.5 hrs 6:00 12 hrs 11 hrs 10 hrs 9 hrs 8 hrs 7 hrs 6 hrs 6:30 12.5hrs 11.5 hrs 7:00 13 hrs 7:30 13.5 hrs 12.5 hrs

Benefits of Adequate Sleep Your body repairs itself, the system is refreshed. Calories are burned. Children's bodies produce a growth hormone when sleeping. Without this hormone, their growth may be stunted. Children are able to concentrate after a full nights sleep. Children's minds sort though the days knowledge and stores it to be recalled when needed. Children are able to problem solve and be more creative.

What can you do tonight. Tonight have a discussion with your child about the importance of sleep and work out a schedule. One that works in your family that will increase the amount and type of sleep your child has each night. Keep a log of when your child goes to sleep and what time they wake up in the morning for one week. Talk with your child’s teacher and see if there is any concern about their behavior on the days that they have less sleep.

Web sites http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Benefits-Of-Children-Who-Get-Adequate-Sleep/1110593 http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html# http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/sleep-and-children