Sleep & Lifestyle
Any parent who has picked up their child the morning after a sleepover knows that nothing can ruin their day (and yours) like lack of sleep. Sleep hygiene is part of a healthy lifestyle and sets your child up to be at their best at home, at school, and at the hockey rink. Here are a few tips to help your child get into a sleep routine.
- Set your child’s internal clock. Aim to wake up and go to sleep at the same times every day, even on weekends.
- Cue bedtime with a consistent routine. Create a nightly routine with lots of down-time to help kids switch to sleep mode.
- Check your child’s environment for sleep disruptors. Make sure children’s rooms are not too hot, loud, or too light. Excessive heat, noise, and brightness make it difficult to sleep.
- Physical activity during the day means more sleep at night. Keep your child active during the day (but not right before bed). Physical activity helps kids fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and sleep better.
- Keep kids’ night time food intake nutritious and appropriately filling. Make sure kids aren’t too hungry or too full right before bed. Avoid eating after 7 P.M. whenever possible.
- Skip the nap. Avoid napping during the day for kids older than 5 years old.
