Children Behave Better – When They Have a Consistent Bedtime
By Lisa Gargaro Sleep Co
Children behave better when they have a consistent bedtime. When we think of parents of you young children, we imagine them to be very keen and eager to put their kids to bed. To allow us to enjoy a few minutes to themselves or each other. Yet to my surprise, many parents do not have a children bedtime set.
According to a 2013 British study published in Paediatrics’, the simple act of having a routine in place for them helps to get your child ready to sleep. A consistent bedtime has remarkable impacts and results in many ways. Especially in better behaviour from their child during the day. It found where a children’s bedtimes were delayed or irregular the impact on their behaviour worsens.
Daily schedules for bedtime are an essential and immensely powerful tool. They help a child regulate themselves. They were developing positive behaviours and function both at home and in the community. The British study investigated and recorded the sleep times and behaviour problems of young children aged from 3 to 7 years old. What the result showed where inconsistent bedtime had occurred for a long time, it resulted in have long-term effects on the child’s behaviour – none of them good. Having a consistent bedtime helps children behave better
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The Bedtime and Behaviour link
The research tracked the sleeping habits and daytime behaviours. The children aged 3, 5 & 7 took part in the study. In the study, carried out with various families. What was found by the research was when any of the children’s bedtimes were;t consistent, the child behaviour suffered. They were proving without a doubt that when there were variable children’s bedtime patterns, the worse the children’s behaviour became.
The biggest problem discovered to be going to bed late. It found that children with bedtimes after 9 pm, suffered from more behavioural issues in comparison to those children who had earlier nights.
Researchers believe that the behaviour problems may occur due to the irregular bedtimes interrupting a child’s routine, 24-hour circadian rhythm. Where a rhythm disrupted, so too does the child’s functionality both mental and physical.
Sleep is also crucial for the maturation of parts of the brain. It is involved in the regulation of behaviour. Children who have inconsistent bedtimes find themselves being able to get asleep harder. Result in much less quantity and lower quality—leading to an interference with their brain development. That can create effects that can last into their later life.
A bedtime routine and the Importance of one
If you find yourself to be one of those parents, who have over time been a little loose and unstructured around bedtime. Please take note: What the result has shown to be trustworthy are that the adverse effects of having an irregular bedtimes do appear to be reversible. So as a child’s bedtime patterns improved, so does their behaviour. Children behave better due to this.
As we all know, there can be many reasons why a child may have an irregular bedtime. From parenting style. To resistance from the child to go to sleep. Chaotic or hectic family environments. TV and screen media use before sleep. The result showed the researchers that by calling for better social and workplace policies. One that would allow parents of young children to be both physically and emotionally available to their children. Meaning behaviour can improve. What we need to be aware of is even us as tired parents. They can find ways to slow the household’s rhythms. By having a bath, a book, softer voices, dim lights, and screens turned off. All these things can help.
For parents,
Establishing a consistent time for bed, they are creating a win-win opportunity. It gives children a daily structure that can help them develop as they should be. Helps by establishing the essential kind of self-discipline. Enabling bedtime to be a time of warmth and connection, parents and children can connect by doing a bedtime routine and then reading together.
Any parents who feel after reading this that their child routine is not right should speak with Lisa Gargaro Sleep Co. I offer timed call slots where I can discuss your situation and offer you the information you need to help you set a routine established and place to suit you and your families need. Ensuring everyone sleep becomes the priority it should be. If necessary, enlist my help in winning children over to a quiet evening routine.
Sleep programs available are as follows Adult, Child, Toddler, Infant & Newborn.