46 The QUEE NS Courier • kids & education • august 28, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com How to help kids adjust to sleep schedule changes As a parent, you know how important a routine can be in keeping your children happy and well-adjusted. However, there will come a time where your triedand true routine must be adjusted to handle life’s circumstances. Whether it’s every year at daylight saving time, the start of the school year or holiday travel, you’ll often be faced with the challenge of adjusting what time your child wakes up and goes to bed. But there’s no reason to panic when sleep schedules change. With a few helpful tips, you can have your children back on a routine and feeling rested as they adjust to their new schedules. Sleep expert Kim West, licensed clinical social worker, also known as The Sleep Lady, offers the following tips for making a seamless transition to new bedtimes. New school or day care schedule Changes and transitions can be stressful for small children who don’t always understand why they are happening. It’s not uncommon to see your child suddenly have more difficulty separating than usual whether it’s at drop-off at school or saying good night at bedtime. There may be more stalling and cajoling to keep you in their room at night or even more frequent nightmares. It’s important to make sure that your child doesn’t get sleep deprived which can make the changes more difficult. Holiday travel It can be hard for children (and adults) to fall asleep in a new place. To help make it easier, bring along a lovey and pack a night light, and go ahead and take along favorite books and toys. You want your child to have items that feel and smell comforting and familiar. Bedtime preparations should be in your child’s room, not all over the house. Include stories, songs, or games that soothe, not stimulate. Make sure the rules for how many stories, or how long you will read, are completely clear and non-negotiable. Leave plenty of time, at least a half hour, for her to unwind, and to get the attention from you she needs. If she starts bargaining for an even longer time with you, tell her the clock says you have to stop reading at 8 p.m., so you have 10 minutes. If two parents take turns at bedtime, you don’t have to follow an identical script but you should have a similar routine, style and response to bedtime power plays, fears or manipulation. Many children may not be comfortable in complete darkness, but darkness is important to a restful night of sleep as it allows the body to initiate the melatonin secretion process that’s key to restorative rest. Toys designed to help your children sleep can help soothe your child and provide a dim light to put him more at ease as he falls asleep. By consciously making an effort to help your child adjust to a new schedule, you’ll help ensure that sleep-filled nights will continue for everyone in the family. The small changes you make will have big effects, as everyone will be happier when they’re getting a good night’s sleep. Courtesy BPT s kids & education St. Kevin Catholic Academy Providing a Strong, Academic, Faith-Based Curriculum Exceeding the NYS Common Core Learning Standards Looking for an outstanding place to send your child for an excellent Catholic education? Look no further than St. Kevin Catholic Academy, an educational community of faith and commitment located on 195th Street in Flushing, Queens. From PRE-K3 (Nursery) to grade 8, students at St. Kevin Catholic Academy receive caring instruction, not just in literacy studies and math, but also in religion, art, music, physical education, computer technology, and Spanish. Our Early Childhood staff provides the students with an integrated developmental program that prepares them to begin their journey towards becoming life-long learners. St. Kevin Catholic Academy elementary and middle school students develop into thoughtful, community conscious individuals who are provided with the opportunity to include service to others as part of their educational experience. The school’s junior high students aspire to achieve success in the quality high schools to which they are accepted every year. Not only does their hard work translate into acceptance at some of New York City’s most prestigious private Catholic and public high schools, but it also offers them an average of $150,000 in scholarships every year. St. Kevin Catholic Academy is a school with a warm and caring environment. The teachers at St. Kevin Catholic Academy consistently work together as a team to provide their students with opportunities for serving others in order to create a caring school community. Every classroom at St. Kevin Catholic Academy promotes the achievement of excellence in many ways. St. Kevin has a Smartboard in every Grade K-8 classroom as well as a computer lab. Students are given Sacramental Preparation and are encouraged to participate in choir, band, orchestra, as well as in Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports and scouting programs. Other programs at the school include Student Council, Aquinas and Jr. Aquinas Programs, and an advanced math and science after-school program. As a private Catholic Academy that is also a Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Affiliate School, St. Kevin Catholic Academy is an exceptional school with much to offer. It provides a safe learning environment where education is exciting and academically stimulating. Teachers challenge each child to reach his or her highest potential through their Common Core Standards-based instruction. You are invited to call and make an appointment for a tour of our school. Tours are offered Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm. Registration materials will be available. For more information on St. Kevin Catholic Academy, visit www.stkevinschool.org or call 718-357-8110. ADVERTORIAL
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