Student Wellbeing News

Spotlight: Year 5/6 Community

Program: CASEA

Focus : Maintaining Positive Relationships

In Wellbeing this term, the Year 5/6 Community have been exploring the concept of friendship. In pairs, students brainstormed attributes of being a positive friend and what it might look like if someone is being a negative friend. After sharing their traits with the rest of the community, students were given real life scenarios to apply their knowledge to. The teachers read out each scenario, where students then had to move to either the positive or negative side of the room and further explain their reasoning. After completing this activity, students began creating a menu for friendship and what it means to be a positive friend. Students have been highly engaged in this activity and have enjoyed coming up with a quirky Entrée, Main, Dessert and Drink for their friendship menu. 

Topic: Sleep Tips for Children

Sleep is vital for children’s growth, learning and development. Having a good sleep every night makes your child happier, helps them to concentrate and remember things, and improves their behaviour.

How much sleep do children need?

The amount of sleep we need changes with age. Everyone is different, but as a guide, children need the following amounts of sleep every night:

• Ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours
• Ages 6 to 13: 9 to 11 hours
• Ages 14 to 17: 8 to 10 hours

Getting enough sleep is vital for your child’s physical health, brain function, emotional wellbeing, safety, and ability to function day to day. Not having enough sleep or not sleeping well can affect how children learn and lead to mood swings and behavioural problems.

Tips to help children sleep well

Getting enough sleep is as important for your child as healthy eating and exercising. Here are some tips to help your child fall asleep, stay asleep and get enough good quality sleep.

• Establish a sleep schedule: Make sure your child goes to bed early enough to get the sleep they need. Once you have set an appropriate bed time, stick to it — even at the weekend.
• Establish a bedtime routine: Follow the same routine every day: bath or shower, change into pyjamas, brush teeth, read or spend quiet time in their bedroom, lights out and go to sleep.
• Help your child wind down: Busy children need some time to relax. Consider playing soft music or reading to them.
• Make sure the bedroom is suitable for sleep: Ensure the bedroom is dark and quiet. If your child is anxious or afraid at night, use a night light.
• Avoid stimulants: Make sure your child avoids tea, coffee, chocolate and sports drinks, especially in the afternoon.
• Turn off technology: Turning off computers, tablets and television 1 hour before bedtime should help your child sleep better.

Haylea Anderson

Student Wellbeing Leader