STUDENT WELLBEING
Sleeping
The first years of life for a child are the foundation for later growth, development and learning. After a big day at school, your child might still be
thinking about the day’s events and worries. If your
child’s mind is still busy at bedtime, it can cause a restless night or bad dreams.
How much sleep do children need?
Three to six years
- A wide range of sleep patterns is normal. If your preschool child is still waking at night, you are not alone!
- Most children need about 10–12 hours of sleep at night.
- Bedtimes vary a lot. Some children go to bed at 6.30 pm; others stay up until 9.30 pm or later. Often those who go to bed later wake up later.
- Young children may still need a daytime sleep as well, but by preschool age only a few are still having this.
Six to11 years
- children need 9-11 hours sleep a night. For example, if your child wakes for school at 7 am and needs approximately 10 hours sleep per night, your child should be in bed before 9 pm.
Sleep: what to expect
Some children fall deeply asleep very quickly when they go to bed. Others sleep lightly, fidgeting and muttering for up to 20 minutes, before getting into deep sleep.
Common issues
For young children, some of the most common problems with sleep are night waking and settling issues.
Night waking
This can affect children from six months to four years of age. It is important to point out that waking at night is normal for the very young; it is only if this pattern continues into middle childhood that it can be a sign that there may be some issues.
Three- to six-year-olds will still wake during the night fairly regularly. Their inner confidence to feel secure when parents or carers are not around is still developing at this stage in their life. All children may also struggle to sleep if they are sick, lonely, sad, or frightened. This can be caused by big changes such as starting school, family tensions, or moving house.
Settling
For a child, going to bed can mean being alone and leaving behind all the interesting things that are happening in the house. The child may well be fearful of being left alone. Your child could also be overly excited which makes it hard to sleep, or could be worried or frightened by something that has happened to them during the day. All of these reasons can contribute to settling problems—one of the most common difficulties in getting your child to sleep.
Sleep association and bedtime rituals
Often, having a relaxing ritual at bedtime is important. Playing games with your child or letting them watch television or screens right before bed usually results in overexcitement. Try winding things down with a bedtime story or song, or even some soft and quiet music. It helps to establish these as routines and rituals so children become familiar and associate them with going to sleep.
To ensure your children feel less lonely and more relaxed in bed, it can be handy to leave on a night light, let them have a cuddly toy, or to leave the door open.
Remember, it is perfectly normal for babies to have some sleeping issues and for this to continue for some children up to around six years of age, but if it continues it is important to receive professional advice. Helping your child feel safe, comfortable and ready for bed is the simplest way to help them settle. If you are still concerned, seek help from your paediatrician.
References
Centre for Community Child Health. (2006). Settling and sleep problems.
Linke, P. (2007)
Deputy Principal
Wellbeing Leader