Todays plugged in, linked up, tech savvy kid often comes with a problem.  All too often, the busyness of their lives results in a lack of good quality sleep, which in turn leads to problems at school and at home.  Parents need to be aware of the key role that sleep plays, not only in rest, but in memory, learning, attention and mood.

Reut Gruber is a researcher and child psychologist who works with children and their parents on bedtime routines.

"Too many parents measure their parenting skills by the number of activities they give their children.  They sign them up for sports, drama and piano.  They have such a busy schedule, yet they worry that their kids may not be busy enough.  They want them to learn but they don’t realize you need to be rested to learn."

"Parents need to understand the need for a daily ritual to help the child to come down before bedtime," Gruber said.  ‘There shouldn’t be too many stimuli in the bedroom – a TV or computer games which are tempting the child to avoid sleep."

Gruber also conducts studies of children with ADHD to see whether improving the quality of their sleep enhances their ability to learn and listen.  Her findings suggest that getting even one extra hour of sleep can make a huge difference, not only for children diagnosed with ADHD, but also for those that seem to be leaning in that direction.

It’s not just how long children sleep, but when.  Research shows hormones that stimulate growth in bones and tissues are most likely to be released during the early part of the sleep cycle and the early part of the night.  For children and young adolescents into their early 20′s sleep is very important to maximize their growth.

You can help your child to be the very best they can be.  Bring back bedtime.  Turn off the TV, put a curfew on the computer and video games, lower the lights and crack open a good storybook.

I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Sleepytime Secrets for ways to make bedtime a breeze for your younger tykes.

Till next time,
Dave

One of my favorite times of the year ended last weekend with the Little League World Series, and what a spectacular ending it was.  Dalton Carriker hit a walk off solo home run to give the boys from Warner Robins Georgia a 3-2 victory over the team from Japan.  Everyone watching knew it at the crack of the bat.  You know that is a moment that he will cherish forever. 

Having coached little league teams myself for seven years, I always look forward to the playoffs each year as the best of the best come together to display their skills and talents.   Some of the most athletic plays you will ever see can be found on the little league field followed by the grins and smiles of innocence so characteristic of that age.  They are all winners in my book.

The real testament to these boys character however came after the winning run crossed the plate.  They made parents, coaches, officials…I’ll even say Americans everywhere, proud as they walked out to the boys from Japan, visibly upset and crying from the loss, and hugged them and consoled them.  What sportsmanship!  What friendship!  What an awesome display of character!  My congratulations to each of you boys.  Your play and your actions do the sport of baseball a great honor.

Till next time,
Dave