ABC’s of a Child’s Sleep

I am not actually familiar with how much sleep do kids need. All I know is that they need more and the process by which they get it is more complicated. Also complicated is the way through which the parents know if they are getting enough. For adults, it is easy to figure out if sleep is getting problematic. We usually get grumpy and have low energy.

Based on my observation, children also have mood changes when they lack sleep. As I have experienced with my niece, she gets so irritable and she has tantrums that is so difficult to control. Among other kids, I’ve also seen some cry unstoppably once their sleep is interrupted. According to the doctor, this is just one manifestation. Children can show manifestations that are on the other side of the extreme. Lack of sleep can manifest as being hyperactive and disagreeable. So it really is difficult to tell what their problem is because being irritable may also be signs of other problems. It may mean that they are wet, hungry or sick. So I guess as parents, it is really important to just see to it that they are getting the number of hours of sleep that they need, instead of just wait for signs of sleep insufficiency because it may only just confuse you. Symptoms of lack of sleep should also be avoided as it may worsen other conditions like attention deficit disorder.

How much sleep is really enough for your kids? According to the pediatrician, it actually depends on the age. If you have infants at home, they should be getting as much as 16 hours per day. So for new parents out there, there is nothing wrong if you find your babies asleep most of the time. For toddlers, they should get 10-14 hours of sleep. Children ages 3-6 should be getting 10-12 hours of sleep, while children ages 6-9 should have 10 hours. Nine to 12 year old kids should have at least 9 hours of sleep.

So give your child the zzz’s that they need in this crucial stage of growth and development. It is also at this early stage when they start to establish normal sleep habits that they will carry on as they grow older.

Be sure to check out the Home Study Course for even more tips on sleeping!

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