Dream Big: The Power of Good Sleep

Many of the parents I work with wonder how much sleep their child needs. And, simple said - it depends. But it’s easy to find the answer by considering a few important questions: 

The first is, “Does my child receive enough sleep, rest and relaxation so he or she can learn, grow, participate and complete daily activities without becoming tired?” 

The next is, “Does my child have a physical space, such as a bedroom, that helps them sleep, rest, and relax? 

And the final question is, “Does my child have a social environment, such as a family routine or day care, that helps them sleep, rest and relax? 

When put together, these questions answer the larger and more pressing question of whether a child’s sleep, rest and relaxation pattern is contributing to his or her health, growth, and development. Because in the end, that’s what sleep is for. Sleep supports maintaining a healthy body that is strong and resists illness. Sleep also gives the body time to rest so it can build and repair tissue for growth. And, finally, sleep is a time when the brain gets to process, organize and store all the learning that happened that day. So while sleep is a singular activity, it works on many different levels within the body.