We can’t underestimate how important bedtime routines are for children. A study completed in 2017 highlighted that bedtime routine promotes healthy developmental outcomes during early childhood including
- Positive family functioning with lower levels of family stress
- Better quality and duration of sleep
- Positive child mood
- Enhanced emotional-behavioural regulation
- Improved school readiness, including early numeracy and literacy development
Children learn to transition from a busy activity of the day to settling down for sleep. Children feel safe through repetition and structure. Repetition for young children is comforting. Do you ever wonder why they want you to read the same story over and over? Or why they want you to comb their hair, sing 2 songs and a goodnight kiss in the same way? The repetition of the getting ready for bed routine lets your child know what to expect and helps him/her feel secure.
Similarly, to my recent blog about Morning Routines, we encourage parents to ‘set the stage’. Set the duration and choose components of a bedtime routine that suits your child’s needs and family context.
Other things to try:
- Checklist: write down tasks as a checklist that your child can tick off once completed
- Limit electronics – it is ideal to limit electronics for 1-2 hours before bedtime, as the programs children like are often over stimulating.
- Read a bedtime story – reading to your child once he is in bed may be calming. Give your child a choice between 2 books from each night. They will enjoy getting to have their say. You may end up reading the same few books for a week or so, but repetition is a key part of your child’s learning
- Calm time – encouraged activities like reading and quiet play rather leaping around and competitive games
- Bath/shower – give your child a relaxing bath followed by five minutes of towel ‘rub down’ with gentle lotion. Pressure touch is calming.
Remember, every child is different so choose a couple of strategies and try them for yourselves!
Written by Didem Kardemir, Speech Pathologist.
