Studies on how media use affects kids’ sleep aren’t conclusive, but parents certainly know how a poor night’s sleep can affect their own kids. Lack of sleep can contribute to crankiness, problems with attention and learning, behavior issues and even health issues like obesity. Here are 10 tips on how you can help your kids get a good night’s sleep, but please read this article in its entirety to get the full impact of how you can make a real impact.
- Encourage Physical Activity Instead of Screen Time After School
- Keep Devices Off The Bed
- Limit Young Kids Exposure to Violent Content
- Keep TV’s out of the Bedroom
- Make the Bedroom a “No Connection” Zone
- Minimize Screen Time Right Before Bed
- Introduce Your Kids to Meditation or Calming Apps
- Set Up a Phone/IPod Charging Station in the Family Room
- Model Healthy Sleep Habits
- Try White Noise Apps For Calming
For those parents who want to share a pure empathetic experience with your mature teen, I suggest the interactive game, or narrative, called That Dragon, Cancer ($14.99). This interactive is intended for mature audiences because of the content, but if you and your teen are up for it, it could be one of the most memorable interactive experiences you will experience together.
Have a great week and don’t forget to use Common Sense.