This month the Staying Healthy campaign is focused on the benefits of being well rested.  Getting enough sleep is important for your physical and emotional health.

 

A well rested person is:

• Full of energy
• Alert
• Happier
• Able to cope with frustrations
• Able to better fight illnesses like colds and flu

Healthy sleep habits benefit you and the children in your program but you may feel like naptime is one of the most stressful times of your day. Trying to get a group of children to all lie down and rest at the same time takes some planning.

 

Try these strategies:

• Schedule naptime at approximately the same time everyday.
• Plan a calming activity before naptime like puzzles or drawing.
• Have children lie down in the same place each rest time.
• Read a familiar story with a soothing rhythm like "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.
• Dim the lights and close the curtains.
• Play soft music.
• Sit down in a comfortable chair near them. Show through your actions that you honor rest time too!

For more information and strategies contact Child Action, Inc. 

 

Infants need a great deal of sleep both at night and during several naptimes during the day. They benefit from calming routines just like older children. In addition, there are some special considerations that need to be taken when putting an infant down for a nap or at bedtime.

• Place infants on their backs to sleep.
• Remove all items from the crib. No stuffed animals, no crib bumpers, no pillows, no blankets.
• Dress babies in a one piece sleeper.
• Supervise the sleeping area.
• If infants fall asleep in a swing, carrier, etc. move them to a crib.

For more information, the Child Abuse Prevention Center is offering a free workshop. 

Infant Safe Sleep and Shaken Baby Syndrome

December 16, 2014 6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Child Action, Inc.

Contact Isela Murrieta at [email protected] 

Click here to view the entire Child Action, Inc. Calendar of Events.