Wellbeing and Mental Health

Sleep

When your child sleeps well, your child will be more settled, happy and ready for school the next day. Good-quality sleep helps your child concentrate, remember things, regulate emotions and behave well. This all helps your child learn well.  Getting enough sleep also strengthens your child’s immune system and reduces the risk of infection and illness. At 5-11 years, children need 9-11 hours of sleep a night. It’s very common for children in the early teen years to start wanting to go to bed later at night and get up later in the morning. This is because they start to secrete melatonin later at night than they did in earlier childhood, which affects their circadian rhythms. Also, as their brains mature during puberty, children can stay awake for longer. Most teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Some need as little as 7 hours or as much as 11 hours.

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. You can help your child settle and relax for sleep by keeping activities quiet in the lead up to bedtime. For example, reading a book, listening to music or having a warm shower or bath. It is also important to encourage your child to avoid the use of electronic devices in the hour before bed.

Smiling Mind have created a program full of, tips, activities and meditations to support the whole family to sleep better. The Sleep for Families Program is now available in the Families section of  the Smiling Minds app. 

NOT SUITABLE FOR SCHOOL

We are aware that some students have been bringing Prime Hydration Drinks to school. Prime is a drink made by popular YouTuber Logan Paul and KSI. 

Prime Hydration bottle carry the label “Not suitable for children under 15 years of age.” This is due to the high caffeine content.

Please ensure students do not bring these drinks to school.