5 Ways to Help Your Child Get a Good Night's Sleep

A good night's sleep can have a positive effect on a multitude of facets. Not only can it help us with our mental health and wellbeing, but also our physical health and cognitive functioning.

Today we're sharing five top tips on how to help your child get a good night's sleep, supporting them (and you) with whatever tomorrow brings.

1. Reconsider Screen Time

You may wish to start by building healthy habits around screen time by trying to avoid it around an hour before bedtime and replacing it with an alternative and more relaxing activity.

How about holding a good conversation whilst they enjoy some colouring? You can ask them about what they learnt at school that day, helping them to decompress and reflect upon what they experienced. Moments like this allow you to build upon your relationship with your child and provides them with space for them to talk about anything they're potentially struggling to navigate at school that you could provide guidance on.

Alternatively, you may want to use this time to enjoy reading a book either together or if your child is an independent reader, you can set a good example by putting your own phone down and reading your current favourite book.

2. Create a Bedtime Box

Designed specifically for this time of day, a 'bedtime box' could be the ideal time-saving solution for you to quickly and easily slow the pace of an evening.

If you fancy giving it a go, all you need to do is find a suitable box and fill it with a variety of fun yet relaxing activities. Some suggestions of what you could add to the box include jigsaw puzzles, playdough, simple crafts, equipment for cutting and sticking, reading books and colouring books. Why not consider letting your child decorate the box too?

Once created, you can simply pull the box out each evening and let your child choose an entertaining task that will keep them calmly occupied as they wind down towards bedtime.

Bedtime box activities can help promote your child's focus and concentration levels, whilst in the meantime saving you the time and hassle each evening of finding something to do. Just remember to top up the box occasionally with new and interesting pastimes.

3. A Calming Bath

Incorporating a relaxing bath into the evening routine is one way to signify the beginning of downtime. To make it a positive experience and one your child will look forward to you may want to try adding fun elements, such as bath bubbles, toys and simple games. Educational toys such as foam letters and numbers can be fun to stick on the wall or tub, but it's best to keep things enjoyable and relaxed. Let your child's imagination run wild and maybe leave those tough maths questions for school the next day.

Top tip: Keeping bathtime toys on rotation will keep toys feeling fresh if they haven't played with them for a while.

4. Story Time

Ending the evening with a bedtime story gives you the perfect moment to have important one-on-one time with your child. Reading a short story each night will give them something fun and interesting to look forward to when bedtime rolls around.

Asking your child to choose the book they wish to read will ensure they are kept excited about the prospect of reading a bedtime story. There are many benefits to be felt from taking the time to read a bedtime story, from an expanded vocabulary and better reading skills, through to stress reduction and encouraging a love for reading.

It takes just a few minutes out of your day and can also help you to relax and switch off too.

5. Positive Bedtime Affirmations

Running through positive affirmations with your child just before sleep can positively improve their outlook on life and how they approach different situations in everyday life.

You could talk through affirmations along the lines of "Today I did my best", "Tomorrow will be a better day" or "I am grateful for my friends and family", curating them as you see fit depending on how they are feeling and what they are experiencing at that time.

This activity gives your child the control and power to believe in themselves and may help to put aside any worries they may be experiencing. It also helps them to learn the value of gratitude, which in turn will aid them to develop a positive mindset.

Just a few healthy habits can make a real difference when it comes to ensuring your child gets a good night's sleep. The aim is to use a combination of activities to help calm, empower and put aside worries, which in turn will help your child to sleep happily. A little positivity, fun and relaxation can go a long way.