Video:Getting Children on the Road to a Good Night's Sleep

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Transcript:Getting Children on the Road to a Good Night's Sleep

Hi, I'm Kathy Moore for About.com Parenting. One thing that I've learned as a parent is the significance of a good night's sleep, not only for my kids but for me too. This program is about creating a ritual that will help you and your family on the road to a good night's sleep.

Steps to a Good Night's Sleep

I have developed a short checklist that you can follow to help you organize your bedtime routine:

1. Make sure your kids are tired. I find that the more exercise your kids get each day, especially outside, the more likely they are to fall asleep easily
2. Don't wait until kids are fussy, or over-tired when starting the bedtime ritual. Struggling with a fussy child is so frustrating. Make sure to be sensitive to your child's moods to get them on track for bedtime. Get them to bed before they have a meltdown. In the hour before bedtime, limit activities that are likely to over-stimulate your kids, such as video games, scary movies, or rough-housing.
3. Watch what kids eat and drink before bedtime. Avoid anything loaded with sugar, especially cookies, candies, and soft drinks. And steer clear of anything containing caffeine.
4. Try to follow the same routine each night. In our house we have family time, reading, singing or playing music together after dinner while the kids wind down. Then it's off to the bathtub before heading to bed.
5. Survey the bedroom itself and eliminate anything that might interfere with a calm, sleep-friendly environment. This might include bright lighting, noisy toys, or any electronic devices. Focus on keeping the bedroom quiet and comfortable.
6. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 69% of kids under the age of 10 have some sort of sleep problem. So don't feel bad if your kids have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. Focus on sticking to a consistent and calming routine.

A Good Night's Sleep Requires Patience

It may take a little bit of practice to get everyone in the family to learn and accept this program. But once you do, you'll be on the road to a good night's sleep.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at Parenting.About.com.