Sleep and rest are cornerstones of Waldorf-inspired parenting and education. Waldorf education is the only educational method that utilises a rhythm of teaching in conjunction with sleep in order to aid learning.\u201d
\nRudolf Steiner\u2019s work and teaching brought many insights which now are proven by conventional science. It is wonderful to get a good night\u2019s sleep, for it is then that we re-charge our energies and prepare ourselves for the next day and all that it holds. It is also during sleep that we digest the day that was: from experiences to information gleaned.
\nGuideline:
\n3 \u2013 5 years old: 11 to 13 hours
\n5 \u2013 12 years old: 10 to 11 hours
\n12 \u2013 18 years old: 8.5 to 9.5 hours
\nBut it is not only necessary to get a good night\u2019s sleep, but to get the sleep you need: sleep is important for adults, but even more so for children. It is recommended that adults get an average of 8 hours. Children require more.
\nA child can handle missing 1 hour of sleep for one night. However, if they miss 1 hour of sleep for multiple nights, it is as if they missed 2 hours on the second night. By the third night, it is as if they missed 3 hours and so on. This creates a sleep debt. By the end of the week, the sleep debt is so great the child cannot even make it up on the weekend.
\nSymptoms of sleep deprivation
\n\u2022 Hyperactivity: unlike adults who slow down when tired, children find it hard to sit still and have a harder time learning.
\n\u2022 Lack of focus\/ attention problems: a tired child is unable to focus on tasks, which can lead to frustration and emotional outbursts. The child can become forgetful and make mistakes they wouldn\u2019t normally make. They may talk excessively because they are trying to stimulate their brain to regain their focus.
\n\u2022 Moodiness \u2013 sleep deprived children have trouble managing emotions. They may lack patience and become frustrated easily; be bossy or demanding and as a result have more conflicts with peers and parents.
\n\u2022 Attendance issues: sleep deprivation might weaken the immune system and shifts the balance of hormones in the body (especially growth hormones)
\n\u2022 Dulled memory; and
\n\u2022 Clumsiness and impulsivity: prone to injuries, clumsy, impulsive or plays in a more weird or frenzied way than is usual.
\nPreparing for Sleep
\nTo prepare for sleep is already a big step towards having a good night\u2019s sleep:
\n\u2022 Quietly reviewing the day just as we finally lie down or just before we kiss our children to sleep is a precious way to move from being awake to falling asleep.
\n\u2022 Children can also benefit greatly from a short story to set the mood of calm before they close their eyes.
\n\u2022 A regular prayer of thanks is also quite appropriate before sleep.
\n\u2022 Waking in the morning with a minute or two of quiet often allows a dream to accompany us through the day.
\nSleep keeps the brain fresh and helps retain information. Children form their memories best during sleep. Children who sleep well at night will remember the previous day\u2019s lessons better than children who are sleep deprived. Children at their best (healthy and rested) get a lot more out of life \u2013 ready to deal with social challenges and experiences that they may face.
\nWishing you a good sleep at all times!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sleep and rest are cornerstones of Waldorf-inspired parenting and education. Waldorf education is the only educational method that utilises a rhythm of teaching in conjunction with sleep in order to aid learning.\u201d Rudolf Steiner\u2019s work and teaching brought many insights which now are proven by conventional science. It is wonderful to get a good night\u2019s …<\/p>\n