Importance of Bedtime Routines
I’ve written about it over and over, and I cannot stress enough how important a bedtime routine is for children. But, it’s not always possible to achieve a true “routine” before bed. We experience issues on evenings when one or both of my sons’ have a sports practice or game especially. All within a matter of 4-5 hours, you have to cram in a snack or two, dinner, homework, practice or game if they’re in sports, a bath, and if you’re lucky a book. This can be quite a challenge.
As told in the Parenting.com article on “14 Happy Bedtime Rituals” there is no one-size-fits-all bedtime routine when it comes to your own child. Some of these ideas work and some may not. It all depends on your child’s personality and what their needs are. What is important is that you do try some of these suggestions. It will make your child sleep more soundly and wake up refreshed and ready for a new day.
Some suggestions are:
- Bath
- Read a book (this is a must)
- Lullaby – Music has been known to calm & soothe the most distraught child…Read More About Music HERE
- Snuggle (which I am a big fan of!)
You can also read more about bedtime routines on my blog. Just creating a routine each night will help your family have a calm evening together.
Good luck and sleep well!
Rae Lynn @ Kidz Comfort
Lullaby Music and the Benefits of Music to a Child
One of the most enjoyable ways to prepare a child for sleep is to play soft and pleasant music, such as lullaby music. It can be a great part of a child’s bedtime routine. It will turn into something that your child will look forward to, allow them to decompress from their day and have a little calm and quiet time to help them get drowsy.
While actually calming a child’s mind and relaxing their body, lullaby music has some pretty profound benefits. Soothing lullaby music has been proven to affect the deepest structures of the human brain. Would you believe it has been said to make your child smarter? Music can help with a child’s mental development, coordination, math skills, social skills, memory, creativity and the list goes on and on.
Music has become a science. It has many healing and biological powers and is often used in some forms of therapy…yes, music therapy. It is often used in many settings including some children’s hospital settings to help sick children actually feel better. It has been shown to aid in the healing process. It has even been found to engage autistic children in play with others, bridging a gap.
Music is found to be very effective for babies who are obviously in a stressful environment for the first few months. Imagine going from a warm, quiet and dark place having only been hearing primarily your Mom’s voice for nine months, and then going into a new world rather suddenly where it is bright, cold and often far too noisy. Lullaby music is a stress reducer and it has been replicated in a number of studies that music can take an agitated baby or child with thrashing arms and, when the soothing lullaby music is played, they go into a more restful and calm state, often falling into a restful sleep.
At the least, there is NO down side to playing your child soothing lullaby music as they prepare for bed. After all, the bedtime routine can be one of the most frustrating times of the day for a parent. Why not make it easier for yourself and your child. Bedtime routines can be enjoyable. Add a little lullaby music today.
Sleep Well!
raelynn @ Kidz Comfort
RSS Subscribe!
-
-
-
Sites I Visit
-
-
