Sleep is essential for peak functioning capabilities during childhood, including health and behavior. While technology has many benefits in life, it can also have negative results on a child’s sleep pattern.
How Technology Impacts Your Children Sleeping Habits?
Positive Impacts
Some positive aspects of technology and children are educational value and communication. For example, there are many top-rated apps and websites that can teach children how to read, write, color, and develop communication skills.
To dive in a little deeper, children can use various apps to communicate. For example, Speech Blubs is a popular speech-learning app that helps children develop speech through fun activities and educational games. If your child is experiencing a speech delay, this app can help your child develop that language.
Negative Impacts
There are also some adverse results with screen time and sleep cycles. Here are a few key points that I have learned and also experienced with my own children when they utilize technology before sleep:
- The blue light, that is released from these devices, can suppress the child’s melatonin production and disrupt the body’s natural sleep and wake pattern.
- The excitement of the media content may give rise to falling asleep later or even waking up throughout the night.
- Technology can also disrupt a healthy bedtime routine. Therefore, affecting their performance and functionality throughout the following day. Generally, you want your child to be well rested so that they can reach optimal performance throughout the next day.
Developing Healthy Sleep Habits
There are numerous ways to help develop a healthy sleep pattern, and still balance screen time for children.
It is crucial to set limits on the amount of time a child spends on an electronic device before bed. For our family, we usually stick to the rule of no computers after dinner. We do something creative, engaging, or relaxing. This allows our children to take part in play and communication with myself each other.
A positive rule of thumb, try to remove all technology devices two hours prior to starting a bedtime routine.
A regular bedtime routine is almost always beneficial Children are known to perform and behave better when there is a routine set in place. For example, start by getting dressed for bed, brushing your teeth, and possibly reading a bedtime story.
Furthermore, removing all devices from the bedroom can help reduce your child’s urge or desire to use them through the night.
To Sum It Up
Sleep is so vital and crucial for a growing child. Better sleep allows a child to rest, recharge, and retain information that they have gained throughout the day. Adequate sleep is imperative for health, well-being, and overall growth.
While managing and restricting screen time may frustrate a child. There is always a way to find a common productive balance between the two.
ALSO READ: The Effects of Too Much Screen Time on Children’s Vision and Eye Health
