Sleep scientists repeatedly caution people to stop using electronic devices within a few hours of their bedtime. Studies have shown that the blue light that emanates from the television, our laptops, cell phones, and tablets trick our brains into believing that it is daytime. This causes a disruption in our circadian rhythm leaving us feeling more alert. Alertness makes it more difficult for us to fall asleep, and we end up sleeping for fewer hours than is required of us.
Experts advise that we should shut off all electronic devices approximately two hours before we fall asleep. During the two hours, experts recommend that people engage in relaxing activities such as light exercising and reading storybooks. Adults can adhere to these recommendations, but what happens to children who have all manner of electronic devices at their disposal in their bedrooms?
Several studies have shown that kids lose up to an hour of sleep every night owing to these electronic devices in their bedrooms. This is an alarming statistic mainly because children are increasingly being given their own electronic devices even at the tender age of six. They are being given these devices as a way of keeping them occupied, while their parents focus on work and other activities. The loss of one hour of sleep every night can have serious implications on the health of children.
Experts have conclusively demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between lack of sleep in children and learning, behavioral and speech problems in the future. Many children who suffer from lack of enough sleep during their formative years are more likely to require special education services when they reach higher grades. Loss of sleep has also been linked to poor memory formation in children, which leads to further learning challenges in the future.
To ensure that technology is not robbing your kids of their much-needed sleep, it is best to remove all electronic devices from their room at night. This is because the backlight from these devices can affect sleep. For instance, the burst of light from a cell phone or a laptop when checking the time can inhibit the child from going back to sleep. It is best to provide your child with a regular alarm clock to alert them when it is time to wake up. If there are some devices that prove too difficult to remove from the child’s room every night, you can leave them in the room but ensure they are completely turned off for the night.
In addition, it is recommended that parents set up a bedtime routine for their children, whether they be six years old or sixteen. The routine should involve encouraging your children to switch off their electronic devices at least two hours before it is time to fall asleep. You should encourage your child to do a relaxing activity during this off time including taking baths, reading stories, or listening to soft music or motivational speeches. Practice the routine regularly in order to firmly establish the healthy behavior in your children. Once they have formed the behavior, you can be assured they will carry it with them even in their adult lives.
Getting children to engage in recreational activities that do not involve playing video games, watching television, or chatting with their friends over the cell phone can be an uphill task. Recreational activities such as light exercise or reading a story before bed do not seem very appealing to most children. However, you need to find creative ways of making them enjoy such activities so that they can sleep better.
Other than getting your children to bed at the right time, you need to ensure their comfort as they sleep. Discomfort can interrupt your child’s sleep pattern. Thus, it is imperative you get them a comfortable mattress such as a memory foam mattress. Look for memory foam black Friday sales so that you get amazing discounts on memory foam mattresses.
