Monday, August 25, 2014

Establishing Bedtime Rituals For Children

By Linda Ruiz


The fact is well established that children thrive when their lives are run on a schedule. This may evoke images of rigid British nannies and be a foreign concept to modern parents, but research backs this up. A regular routine cuts stress way down for children and promotes domestic tranquility in the home. Bedtime rituals for children are a treasured part of childhood for many people and sometimes are the closest families get to a daily routine.

Religion usually has ritualistic components, but all ritual is not religious. Any repetitive action given importance in life may be a ritual. This concept of established actions performed on a regular basis fits well with a child's need for routine.

An early bedtime is important for young people. Researchers say that sleep deprivation is a serious health threat, and studies show that many children fail to get sufficient sleep. It's also nice for parents to have some time in the evening which is not dominated by the needs of the youngest members of the family. Quality of family life is important in maintaining health and happiness.

Electronic babysitters have come to take up more and more time and attention. However, research has shown that all of us, not just younger people, should stop all screen time at least an hour before bed. The blue light from a television or computer screen sends wake-up signals to the brain. Fortunately, soft yellow electric light does not, and darkness promotes sound sleep.

Keeping children away from electronic devices can be hard unless parents replace them with other interesting activities. Reading stories is a time-honored way to pass the time right before bed. The evening routine can start with a warm bath, changing into pajamas, and brushing teeth. By the time they're ready to climb into bed for their nightly story, some of the day's tensions should be dissipating.

Storybook authors and publishers have cashed in on the almost universal love of reading stories to kids tucked up in bed. This is a time-honored bonding time for families and one of the standard components of a happy childhood. Little ones often fall asleep when a favorite story is being read, and older kids should be relaxed at the end of this quiet time.

Other usual activities that people include in the evening routine are saying prayers, reading scripture, singing lullabies or other songs, listening to music, or reading quietly to oneself. Anything that helps kids relax is good, so roughhousing and noise should be discouraged. For older kids, read a chapter of a long, enthralling story each night. Finally, mom and dad can tuck kids in and kiss them goodnight.

Only very well-disciplined people can run their families on a schedule. Fortunately, the bedtime routine is easier than others to establish. The fond memories that most of us have of these times attest to their importance for young and old. It's like having family meals together; this sort of scheduled quality time is more beneficial than many of us realize.




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