--- title: Easy Ways to Teach Your Child Healthy Sleep Habits [Guest Post] description: Getting your kids to sleep is a stressful chore that parents often face. Training your child to form healthy sleep habits. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/sleeping_child.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Easy Ways to Teach Your Child Healthy Sleep Habits [Guest Post]](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/easy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post) Posted by [Ethan Wright](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/ethan-wright) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/BeddingStock) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bedding-stock) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/Bedding_Stock) Aug 18, 2016 7:00:00 AM ![sleeping_child.jpg](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sleeping_child.jpg?width=414&name=sleeping_child.jpg) ***Author Bio:*** *Ethan Wright is a health enthusiast who believes every great day begins with a good night sleep. He is currently a researcher and writer for Bedding Stock, an online retailer of [gel memory foam mattress](https://beddingstock.com/mattresses) in the USA. When not wearing his writing hat, you will see him traveling to places with his journal.*   Getting your kids to sleep is a stressful chore that parents often face. Training your child to form healthy sleep habits is challenging, but necessary for their growth and development. # **Dangers of insufficient sleep ** Just like in adults, sleep is currently a big problem for children. The inadequate sleep issue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers a public health problem covers all demographic and age brackets, including children. Children need ample sleep for healthy brain development.  Sleep deprived kids face a host of behavioral, learning, and health problems.  Studies were able to prove the relationship between sleep and cognitive development. An article published in the British Medical Journal, children up to three years old who are sleeping irregularly had resulted in problems in math skills, reading, and spatial awareness. If their condition does not improve, this may cause these kids to lag behind their peers until possibly their adulthood. Just like physical activities and workouts beefs up our bones and muscles, [sleep strengthens the mental processes](http://www.webmd.com/children/features/good-sound-sleep-for-children) by allowing new neural connections in the brain or neuroplasticity to take place. Children exhibit a tremendous capacity for neuroplasticity more than in any other age. Neuroplasticity occurs during deep or REM sleep. It is during this phase that their memory and learnings are cemented.      Another reason to make sure your child gets quality sleep every night is endocrine glands release growth hormones during REM sleep. Lack of sleep can affect the physical and mental growth of children.  *(Learn more about why the CDC declared sleep disorders a public health epidemic [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/cdc-declares-sleep-disorders-a-public-epidemic). Learn about how sufficient sleep helps children perform better in school [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/top-5-things-you-should-know-about-your-childs-sleep)). *   # **Sleep Disruptors** Typically, kids can easily comply with their ideal sleep needs. But with the 24/7 culture and flooding of electronic gadgets, they are always exposed to stimuli that keep them awake or can disrupt their sleep schedule. Exposure to digital games coupled with our current fast-paced world make the kids alert and jittery and can cause difficulty sleeping. *(For more on electronics use at night, click [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/three-good-reasons-to-keep-your-phone-out-of-the-bedroom). For tips on how to keep electronics out of the bedroom, click [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/5-tips-to-keep-electronics-out-of-the-bedroom-and-sleep-better)).* [Stress can also be a major factor](http://www.whattoexpect.com/family/signs-your-child-may-be-stressed) that hinders your child’s sleep. Their pressures from their environment and excessive worrying can lead them to develop sleeping problems such as difficulty staying asleep, sleepwalking, and night terrors.   # **Tips for better sleep:** After knowing your child’s need for quality and uninterrupted sleep, how can you teach your kids to healthy sleep habits? Here are some tips: **Make their room sleep friendly** – Your child's bedroom should be designated for sleep and play. Sleep comes naturally for them if they are in the right environment. Ensure the comfort of your child by putting on loose clothing and blankets. See to it the bedroom temperature is set at around 65 degrees. Also, give them the most comfortable mattress they can have. **Set a sleep schedule** – Sleep is a routine chore. Any interruption in a kid’s daily bedroom pattern can affect their sleep quality. It is your job, then, to keep their bedtime schedule in check. Doing this chore can help them acquire a fixed sleep habit themselves. **Cool them down after dinner** – Make an effort to minimize their playing time and activities after dinner. Gradually get their toys out of their sight. Likewise, you may need to set a technology and TV curfew.  **Teach them to overcome their worries during bedtime** – Give them things that will defend them from “scary enemies or invaders.” You may give them spray bottles or flashlights as “weapons” that can “protect” them from their imaginary horrors.   **Walk your talk** – Children are great imitators. They often see you like a model that they follow after. If they live by the sleep habits that you want to instill in them, they will readily abide by your example.   *While most children can develop a normal healthy sleep routine, it is important to speak to your physician if you have concerns about your child's sleep. Children can suffer from sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, just like adults. Learn more about sleep disorders facing children and how they are treated here:* [![Learn more!](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/299691/2e0bf1cb-8f4b-4c2f-8c6a-167448e53599.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/299691/2e0bf1cb-8f4b-4c2f-8c6a-167448e53599)   **Other posts you may find interesting:** - [Top 5 Things You Should Know About Your Child's Sleep as the School Year Starts.](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/top-5-things-you-should-know-about-your-childs-sleep) - [Does Pre-bed Videogaming Ruin Your Sleep?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/pre-bed-video-gaming) - [Sleepy Students Perform Worse in School.](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/sleepy-students-perform-worse-in-school) - [What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/what-causes-sleep-apnea-in-children) - [How to Prepare Your Child for his Sleep Study](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/does-my-child-need-a-sleep-study) Photo source: Pixabay.com Topics: [Kids and Sleep](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Easy%20Ways%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Child%20Healthy%20Sleep%20Habits%20%5BGuest%20Post%5D) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Feasy-ways-to-teach-your-child-healthy-sleep-habits-guest-post%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.