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.
Religion usually has ritualistic components, but all ritual is not religious. Any repetitive action given importance in life may be a ritual. This concept of established actions performed on a regular basis fits well with a child's need for routine.
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.
Keeping children away from electronic devices can be hard unless parents replace them with other interesting activities. Reading stories is a time-honored way to pass the time right before bed. The evening routine can start with a warm bath, changing into pajamas, and brushing teeth. By the time they're ready to climb into bed for their nightly story, some of the day's tensions should be dissipating.
Then the old tradition of reading a story can hardly be bettered. With kids ready to climb in bed and settle down, now is the time for some quality parent-child interaction. Stories can be simply read, but they can also be discussed along with things that happened that day. Children may fall asleep during this time, but even if they don't, they'll be relaxed when it's time to turn off the lights.
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.
Only very well-disciplined people can run their families on a schedule. Fortunately, the bedtime routine is easier than others to establish. The fond memories that most of us have of these times attest to their importance for young and old. It's like having family meals together; this sort of scheduled quality time is more beneficial than many of us realize.
Religion usually has ritualistic components, but all ritual is not religious. Any repetitive action given importance in life may be a ritual. This concept of established actions performed on a regular basis fits well with a child's need for routine.
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.
Keeping children away from electronic devices can be hard unless parents replace them with other interesting activities. Reading stories is a time-honored way to pass the time right before bed. The evening routine can start with a warm bath, changing into pajamas, and brushing teeth. By the time they're ready to climb into bed for their nightly story, some of the day's tensions should be dissipating.
Then the old tradition of reading a story can hardly be bettered. With kids ready to climb in bed and settle down, now is the time for some quality parent-child interaction. Stories can be simply read, but they can also be discussed along with things that happened that day. Children may fall asleep during this time, but even if they don't, they'll be relaxed when it's time to turn off the lights.
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.
Only very well-disciplined people can run their families on a schedule. Fortunately, the bedtime routine is easier than others to establish. The fond memories that most of us have of these times attest to their importance for young and old. It's like having family meals together; this sort of scheduled quality time is more beneficial than many of us realize.
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