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Sleep may be their missing link…

It's that time of year again, when the hazy-lazy days of summer suddenly comes to a close and big yellow school buses begin to lumber along neighborhood streets…….Bummer!!

FYI...Poll data released from the National Sleep Foundation earlier this year found that school-aged children average 9.5 hours of sleep a night, less than the recommended 10-11 hours for this age group. Findings show children who sleep less, are twice as likely to have the school call their parents about behavior problems. Hyperactivity, trouble concentrating or a short attention span may be signs that your child needs more sleep. When children get sufficient sleep, it enhances their ability to not only participate in, but to enjoy and even excel in academic, extracurricular, and community activities.

Prepare to rise and shine! One of the best ways to get ready for the new school year is to start with a good night’s sleep. If your child has gotten used to staying up late and sleeping in, don't wait until the day before school starts to insist on an early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine. 

"As the new school year approaches, parents and their children make many adjustments to daily routines and schedules. This is the perfect time to commit to making sufficient sleep a part of every family member's regular schedule”, notes Karianne Cronkrite, spokesperson for Cardinal Sleep Disorder Centers of America.

Get ready, get set, GO TO SLEEP!!

• Begin the routine early. At least one or two weeks before the first day of school introduce a gradual change in their child's sleep schedule, such as going to bed 15-30 minutes earlier each night.
  
• Make sufficient sleep a family priority. Every family member must make a good night's sleep a regular part of his/her daily schedule.
  
• Embrace good sleep habits that include bedtime routines. Regular bedtime routines should include at least 15-30 minutes of relaxing, quiet activities immediately prior to bedtime. Televisions and computers need to be out of the bedroom; caffeine (found in beverages, chocolate and other products) if given, should only be given in small doses and infrequently.
  
• Talk to your child's doctor about sleep. Parents should discuss their child's sleep habits and problems with their child's doctor, as most sleep problems are easily treated.

The bottom line: “There’s just no doubt about it — a rested brain learns better,” says Edward Stepanski, Ph.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Service and Research Center at RUSH.