If your little one is having trouble getting to sleep at night, it could be affecting their temperament, focus level and performance in school. There are numerous benefits to getting a good night’s sleep, so rather than having to scrape your tired kids out of bed in the morning, make sure they get one! Try out the following tips below and hopefully one of them will help get your child relaxed and ready for bed.
1. Relaxation Audio
If simple bedtime stories aren’t enough to get your little one to bed, you might want to try a relaxation audio designed for kids, as suggested by clinical psychologist Dr Suzanne Warner, from Calm Down Sleep Well :
“Some children find it difficult to wind down at the end of a busy day. Visual imagery and allowing thoughts to wander into fantasy, while at the same time slowing down the breathing rate are essential skills for self-soothing into sleep. Try a relaxation audio to guide your child through this “letting go” process.”
To learn more from Dr Warner, find Calm Down Sleep Well on Facebook and Instagram.
2. Play A Soothing Wind-down Game
Habit plays a big part in helping your kids settle down each night. Although games might sound like a bad idea right before bed, they might actually be helpful in getting your kids to calm down if you play simple, calming ones. Dr Janet Hall, clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist, suggests a nighttime ritual you can go through with your kid:
“The sleep right sleep right game is great fun. You say three things:
One nice thing about today
One nice thing about tomorrow
One nice thing about me
You take turns with your parents. First it’s your turn, then it’s your Mum’s and Dad’s turn.”
To find out more from Dr Hall, check out her website as well as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
3. Pre-Sleep Massage
A little massage may be one great way to ease your little one into a deep slumber. Dympna Kennedy from Creating Balance, explains the merits of a foot massage for this purpose:
“Incorporating a foot massage into your preschoolers bedtime routine creates a beautiful space for them to release the emotional energy retained from their day.
A foot massage is much more than a series of strokes. It’s about the power of positive touch, connection, conversation, and emotional release, given within a safe, loving, secure and non-judgemental environment. A place where we touch their soul by holding their sole.”
To find out more such useful tips and tricks check out Creating Balance’s Facebook page.
4. Have A Well Set-Up Bedroom
In order for your kid to have a chance of a good night’s sleep, they should have a well set-up, comfortable bedroom. This starts with a high quality bed to ensure your little one’s back is well protected and that they are able to lay back with ease. Their decor should also be organized, with everything in place, as studies have shown that a messy room can contribute to a restless night of sleep. You would be surprised how much the Feng Shui of a room can actually affect your child’s sleep, and therefore ensure the furniture of the room is arranged in a systematic and orderly way, with complimentary colours and personal touches added by your little one.
So get to work maximizing your kid’s potential by making sure they have the best night’s sleep possible!
