The Importance of Sleep for Learning English
The average child has a busy day. There is school, language tutoring, math tutoring, running around with friends, going to sports practice or other activities, plus doing homework. Phew! It's tiring just writing it all down. By the end of the day, children need enough time for their mind and body to recuperate. The correct amount of sleep gives our bodies the correct amount of time to rest for the coming days activities.
Not only is sleep necessary for your body, it's important for your brain, too. During sleep the brain sorts through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems. Experts acknowledge that sleep plays a significant role in brain development, so it is important for children to get enough sleep as their bodies grow and mature. Sleep also plays an important role in our brain’s day-to-day ability to function. Lack of sleep makes it much harder for children to concentrate, and they can become forgetful, irritable and prone to being clumsy and making mistakes. Scientific evidence shows that the right amount of night-time sleep is just as important for children’s development as healthy eating and regular exercise.
One more reason to get enough sleep: Researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and the immune system —which keeps you from getting sick.
As English teachers we often see tired children in our classrooms…especially on Mondays! Children will be struggling to stay awake. They cannot focus on the lessons being taught, and fall behind the other children in class. Learning a second language takes additional concentration and effort, and children’s brains will be working hard to understand and assimilate the information. If they are too tired they cannot keep up.
How much sleep does my child need?
Sleep requirements differ from individual to individual, but in general young children will need 10-12 hours of sleep a night.
A bedtime routine is the best way to ensure that your child gets enough sleep. Devise a routine that lasts 20 - 30 minutes, and includes a bath and the chance to read a story (or stories) together. Try not to change your routine at all during the week. Weekends, of course, can be changed and your child will soon learn the difference between a school night and a weekend night. In the summer, because of the light evenings, it may be tempting to keep children up later – but try to keep to scheduled bedtimes during weekdays.
Bedtime is a chance to spend some quality time together, and can be a time both you and your child enjoy, your son or daughter will settle down in bed and drop off to sleep more easily.
How to catch your ZZZs?
For most kids, sleeping comes pretty naturally. Here are some tips to help you catch all the ZZZs you need:
Not only is sleep necessary for your body, it's important for your brain, too. During sleep the brain sorts through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems. Experts acknowledge that sleep plays a significant role in brain development, so it is important for children to get enough sleep as their bodies grow and mature. Sleep also plays an important role in our brain’s day-to-day ability to function. Lack of sleep makes it much harder for children to concentrate, and they can become forgetful, irritable and prone to being clumsy and making mistakes. Scientific evidence shows that the right amount of night-time sleep is just as important for children’s development as healthy eating and regular exercise.
One more reason to get enough sleep: Researchers believe too little sleep can affect growth and the immune system —which keeps you from getting sick.
As English teachers we often see tired children in our classrooms…especially on Mondays! Children will be struggling to stay awake. They cannot focus on the lessons being taught, and fall behind the other children in class. Learning a second language takes additional concentration and effort, and children’s brains will be working hard to understand and assimilate the information. If they are too tired they cannot keep up.
How much sleep does my child need?
Sleep requirements differ from individual to individual, but in general young children will need 10-12 hours of sleep a night.
A bedtime routine is the best way to ensure that your child gets enough sleep. Devise a routine that lasts 20 - 30 minutes, and includes a bath and the chance to read a story (or stories) together. Try not to change your routine at all during the week. Weekends, of course, can be changed and your child will soon learn the difference between a school night and a weekend night. In the summer, because of the light evenings, it may be tempting to keep children up later – but try to keep to scheduled bedtimes during weekdays.
Bedtime is a chance to spend some quality time together, and can be a time both you and your child enjoy, your son or daughter will settle down in bed and drop off to sleep more easily.
How to catch your ZZZs?
For most kids, sleeping comes pretty naturally. Here are some tips to help you catch all the ZZZs you need:
- Try to go to bed at the same time every night; this helps your body get into a routine.
- Follow a bedtime routine that is calming, such as taking a warm bath followed by mummy or daddy reading a bedtime story.
- Limit your child’s use of the internet, games consoles and TV in the hour before they go to bed – and ideally don’t allow your son or daughter to have a computer, console or a TV set in their bedroom
- Use your bed just for sleeping— not doing homework, reading, playing games, or talking on the phone. That way, you'll train your body to associate your bed with sleep.
