The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized enough. Lack of sleep can lead to developmental problems in children and can lead to obesity, bad behavior and poor grades.

Americans are busy people who enjoy maintaining a packed schedule. Often times between school, work, sports and other events, sleep often gets neglected and nap time is canceled. On occasion, missed naptimes are inevitable, but this time adds up and can cause damage that will follow your child into adulthood.

Doctor Marc Weissbluth explains that sleep is like recharging your brain’s battery. Sleep increases your attention span and makes you more alert, while keeping you physically relaxed at the same time.

Dr. Weissbluth also explains that there is a different between sleep and sleeping well. Sleeping well means that you are following the essentials of healthy sleep and achieving REM each time you fall asleep.

Essentials of healthy sleep
        •    A sufficient amount of sleep
        •    Uninterrupted sleep
        •    Getting the proper amount of age-appropriate naps
        •    A consistent sleep schedule

The goal behind sleeping well is to avoid symptoms of sleep deprivation (stress, anxiety, learning disabilities and mood swings) and to achieve what is called optimal alertness. Dr. Michael J. Breus describes optimal alertness as a state when we are most receptive and interactive with our environment. It is when we have the greatest attention span and can learn the most.

Signs that you child is sleeping well
When a child attains optimal alertness, they are most likely calm and attentive. They are wide-eyed and taking in all that is around them and easily interact with others. Therefore, during this time your child will learn the most and will maintain a more up-beat attitude.

How long should they sleep?
The length of time your child to spend sleeping depends on age and level of activity. Each child is different, and therefore no exact measure can be given, but this chart provides good guidelines.

Consequences of sleep disturbances
How will you know if your child is not getting enough sleep? Here are some signs to look for.

        •    Trouble concentrating and easily distracted
        •    Hyperactive behavior
        •    Laziness
        •    Becoming physically impulsive
        •    Inattentive
        •    Consistent mood swings

Problems associated with sleep deprivation cannot be grown out of, and usually once a habit is formed, it is hard to break. It is important to achieve healthy sleep habits at a young age and here are some things you can do as a parent to ensure this habit is formed.

        •    Plan activities around your child’s naptime
        •    Set a regular bedtime and remain consistent – same goes for a wake up time
        •    Avoid diets high in sodium – Studies have linked high sodium levels to insomnia and other sleep disorders
        •    Climate control – make sure their room is not too hot or too cold
        •    Make sure that the hour before bedtime relaxed and low key to wind them down

Here are some additional facts from studies that highlight the effects of a good night of sleep from Gary Ezzo and Dr. Robert Bucknam.

•    Children with higher IQs slept longer
•    Good sleep can make drastic improvements in classroom performance and peer relations in children with ADHD
•    Healthy sleep improves neurologic development and helps prevent learning and behavioral problems