Most younger children respond well to a bedtime routine.
This is normally along the lines of teatime, followed by quiet
play, bath, story and then bed. Bedtime should be around
the same time each evening, although on non school
nights, older children already established in a good sleep
pattern may be allowed to stay up a little later. Parents
shouldn’t expect children to go to sleep immediately they
are in bed - after all, most adults don’t - and they should
be allowed to play quietly or read for a little while until they
drop off.
How much sleep is normal?
Most toddlers sleep about 12 hours by the age of three.
At this age they can have difficulty in falling or staying
asleep. They can fight sleep because they don’t like the
separation from their parents. They often have a favourite
toy, dummy or rag to help them sleep, while a night light
helps those who are afraid of the dark.
Children aged four to six tend to sleep between 10½ to
11½ hours at night, and almost all children of this age have
some difficulty in sleeping. They may resist going to bed,
may wake up in the night. They are often scared of the
dark, and may wet the bed and even sleepwalk.
Again, a routine helps, together with reassurance and
support - without over-dramatising the issue.
Children aged six to 12 sleep for around 10 hours a night.
They tend to have sleep problems more akin to adults -
worries often to do with school,
friends or family. Nightmares
are more unusual by this age.
Again, a routine is reassuring.
Most teenagers need around
eight - nine hours sleep, but
many get far less than this,
which can cause immediate
health problems, and potentially serious implications for
future academic success. Teenagers have a difficult time
of it - the onset of puberty, exams, money, the future - it’s
really no wonder that they don’t get as much sleep as they
need. Tips later in this guide may be of help.