This summer I investigated a little more in depth on the subject of childish dream, and this has been due to the fact that my oldest son has presented some episode of 'insomnia' (I quote him because the frequency and intensity would not allow him to be called that from a medical point of view) during the summer holidays.
I know it has been very hot, and this can act as a trigger, in fact this summer many people cannot sleep if they do not shower just before going to bed. But I think 'the shots go the other way', since in the last months there have been some changes that are important for the life of a child of almost nine years.
That is to say on the one hand the temperatures influence although if I look at the emotional aspects I realize that they are more decisive ... and if to all this I add a slight disorder at the time of going to bed (you know, they are vacations)I have a child who is sleeping less than he needs, among other things because there are days that he has trouble falling asleep.
We all need adequate sleep and the little ones even more because it affects their growthThat is why it is important to establish sleep patterns before they reach adolescence, which is when they tend to sleep less voluntarily or involuntarily. Until they reach 12, the little ones they should sleep about 9½ hours each night, although many may need up to 11The point is that everyone must be able to regulate, but for this the bedtime should always be the same. I know that many exceptions are made on vacation, but when it comes to getting back to the routine, let's take this matter seriously.
The body also needs the 'vacations' we provide when sleeping: the brain must make its adjustments, the liver exercise necessary functions that also affect other organs, the heart is grateful not to have to pump the blood so fast because we are still, the muscles are oxygenated and do not wear out in this period ...
For me it is very important to convey to children the idea that it is necessary to 'listen to our body', and whenever we can, answer their calls. And we often do not eat when we are hungry because we are working, or do not sleep when we are sleepy because we want to see a movie ... and if it is difficult for us to adjust to our biological needs to adults, what will happen when children who have been watching us Do they become teenagers?
We are not going to talk today about sleep disorders that originate during childhood (we will leave this for another day), although I can tell you that they are different from those that happen during adulthood. Some are specific and others last over time, and there is a pattern that is repeated is the appearance of problems during adolescence: sometimes it is because the overload of tasks is incompatible with a good rest, others because there are no consolidated habits, or due to the lack of limits that allow a 13 year old child to be at 2 in the morning connected with his 'friends' of social networks on the internet.
Although many children may not find it that way, sleep is as necessary as it is interesting: sleeping is not just closing your eyes to rest and see you tomorrow! To sleep is to go from stage 1 to 2 and continue to the REM phase, and not only that because the process between phase 2 and REM is repeated several times. All are necessary and we cannot afford to limit the transit of our body and our brain through each of them., due to inadequate schedules or not having enough time for rest.
There are those who are in favor of letting children regulate themselves and decide when to go to bed. I show myself more favorable to to help them recognize the signs of their body, I know that in this fast-paced society they live in is difficult, but I often think of how wise nonhuman animals begin to 'gather' to rest while the sun begins to set.
We continue another day with sleep disorders, and some advice.
