Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is a complex issue for infants to adolescents. Establishing positive sleep habits during the formative years help children function and thrive as they grow. We’re here to help.
We Can Help!
AZ+A in conjunction with Zier Institute have created a sleep program that focuses on the sleep-deprivation behaviors of toddlers, young children, and adolescents. We explore what behavior patterns “charge” your battery and consequently what patterns “drain” your battery.
Although sleep environment is an important factor to healthy sleep, our sleep program dives into mindfulness exploration, sensory strategies, and emotion work:
- 8 basic emotions
- Honoring your feelings
- Anxiety
- Strategies for calming the body & mind
Why You Need Sleep
After busy days of learning, playtime, and social time – growing bodies need a break. Naptime and nighttime allow our bodies to refuel for the next day’s adventures.
Your Brain Needs ZZZs
Sleep gives busy young brains the downtime they need to store information, replace chemicals, and solve problems. The brain repeats the five stages of sleep throughout the night.
How Much is “Enough”
Sleep is not one size fits all. Some kids need more than others. Sleep experts suggest 10 or 11 hours each night. Without proper sleep, little bodies are more likely to feel more emotional, less social, and unable to pay attention. Tired bodies also get sick more easily.
Sweet Dreams
Dreams are often silly or nonsensical to our conscious mind, but they are our brain’s sophisticated way of organizing memories and emotions while ridding our minds of the unimportant stuff. Dreams can also help us process emotional issues as we sleep.
A+ Sleep Habits
Children struggling with sleep disorders or disordered breathing are more likely to have problems paying attention. According to a study published in Sleep Journal, poor sleep habits can lead to “significant functional impairment at school.”
Less Stress, Please
An alarming side effect of childhood anxiety is poor sleep. Kids who receive help managing their anxiety tend to sleep more soundly than children with invalidated anxieties. The more support children receive toward a healthy sleep routine, the less anxious they may feel.
Our Sleep Program Offering
As Pediatric Occupational Therapists, we give your family the tools they need to improve on sleep quantity and quality. We center these tools around your child’s profile, behavior, and current habits while exploring changes to their routines.
