Wellbeing

The Importance of Rest and Recharge

As we head into the school holidays, it is important to remember that rest is an important part of wellbeing. School terms are busy for children, with learning, friendships, sport, extracurricular activities and the many other demands of everyday life. Holidays provide an opportunity for children to slow down, spend time with family and friends, enjoy unstructured play and simply have some downtime.

Sleep is particularly important for children's physical and emotional wellbeing. The Royal Children's Hospital highlights that sleep is an essential part of healthy growth and development. While we are sleeping, our bodies and brains are busy carrying out important processes that support physical health, emotional wellbeing, concentration, memory and learning.

Sleep is Part of Wellbeing

The holidays can be a great opportunity to reset healthy sleep habits. While routines can be a little more relaxed, maintaining a reasonably consistent bedtime and morning routine can help children get the quality sleep they need. The RCH recommends a predictable bedtime routine and calm activities that help children wind down before sleep. Reducing screens before bedtime can also support children to settle more easily.

The amount of sleep children need varies with age. As a general guide, the RCH recommends around 10–12 hours for children aged 3–6, 10–11 hours for children aged 7–12, and 8–10 hours for teenagers. Every child is different, so it is also important to pay attention to your child's individual sleep cues and how they are feeling during the day.

Making Space for Downtime

Rest does not always mean sleeping. Children also benefit from time where there are no expectations, schedules or activities. Reading a book, playing outside, drawing, listening to music, spending time with family, being with friends or simply having some quiet time can all provide opportunities to recharge.

As families, we can sometimes feel pressure to make the most of every holiday day. However, children don't need every moment of the holidays to be productive. Giving children permission to slow down and do less can be an important part of supporting their wellbeing.

At BBPS, we encourage our students to notice what their bodies and minds need and to develop healthy strategies for looking after themselves. Over the holidays, we hope our students have plenty of opportunities to rest, relax, reconnect and recharge. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another term of learning and growing together.