Student Wellbeing & Mental Health
Lysterfield Primary Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Team
Robyn Mowat \ Assistant Principal - Student Inclusion and Wellbeing
Kayla Pepper \ Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader
Neil Butler \ Student Wellbeing Advisor
Kim Bedford \ School Counsellor/Social Worker
Setting Students Up For Success - Sleep
There are so many factors that can influence how successful each day at school is—one of the most important elements of setting children (and adults) up for success is having a good night's sleep every night.
The process of good sleep begins well before bedtime the night before. Below is an excerpt taken from the Raising Children links below. As with any change to routine, things take time and it is always advisable to take things one step at a time. For example, if you want to change your child's 'lights out' time, making small changes each night usually gives the best results.
We know at school that when a student has had a poor night's sleep (for whatever reason), their capacity to learn the next day is negatively impacted. While we all have 'bad nights' from time to time, we hope that the below information supports families to have as few of these as possible.
Bedtime Routines: What They Are And How They Help
A bedtime routine is when your child does similar activities in roughly the same order each night before they go to sleep.
This can help your child fall asleep more easily at bedtime because they know what’s coming, which makes them feel settled and safe.
A bedtime routine can also help your child develop good sleep and bedtime habits.
Without a good bedtime routine, it can be hard for babies, children and teenagers to settle to sleep.
Bedtime routines change and become more flexible as your child gets older. But all children and teenagers – and adults too – benefit from calming, relaxing activities before or at bedtime. This helps them get the sleep they need to play, learn and concentrate during the day.
Positive Bedtime Routines For School-Age Children
Bedtime routines help school-age children fall asleep. At this age, your child might be more independent with things like brushing their teeth, but they’ll probably still enjoy quiet play, reading, gentle chat and cuddles with you as part of their bedtime routine.
Even as your child becomes more independent or starts to have a later bedtime, it’s still a good idea for them to have a bedtime routine. They might like to help you plan or adjust the bedtime routine as they get older.
Here’s an example of a bedtime routine for a school-age child:
- Your child does homework before dinner if they can, so that they can relax before bed.
- Your child has a bath or shower.
- Your child spends time doing relaxing things like drawing, listening to music or playing a game. Your child is likely to get to sleep more quickly if they avoid screens in the hour before bed.
- You and your child share a story in bed. You can read to your child or ask your child to read to you.
- You and your child have a cuddle and a kiss goodnight.
- You or your child turns out the main light.
Here are additional links to the Raising Children site with guidance around setting up positive sleep routines for children.
Workshops / Information
Parentzone Newsletter - Parenting in the East What's On Term 1 2025
News and information on programs and services to support parents across the Eastern Region of Melbourne -
ADHD Unfiltered Parent Night - Free
Presented by Tony Vallance from Building Better Brains, this free parent information evening will provide a toolbox for supporting young people with ADHD.
Tuesday 1st April 2025 - 7pm-8:30pm
Bookings essential - https://bit.ly/4019IYg
For more information please email youth@knox.vic.gov.au
Kids Club - Eastern Health - Free
A monthly, ongoing peer support group for children aged 8-12 years (grades 3-6) and their parent/carer in families where a parent has a mental illness.
Fourth Wednesday of the month 4:30pm - 6:30pm.
Free but registrations are essential.
To refer please contact Michelle Hegarty 0481 913 607 michelle.hegarty@easternhealth.org.au
