We all know how important it is to make sure our kids get a good night’s sleep, but how can we ensure they do?
Myth 1: Blue and white are good colours for a nursery
Actually, we should really be painting our kids’ rooms pink or green! It is well known that colours have a strong influence on our mood and feelings. While blues and purples can be calming for an overactive child, they can also be cold. Reds and other strong colours, though warm, can be overstimulating. Pinks, however, will soothe and calm. Bright walls, in particular brilliant white, can reflect so much light even at night that it prevents sleep. Greens, on the other hand, are thought to have a balancing and harmonious effect, which is one of the reasons you feel calm after a long country walk. Think about the colour of your child’s room - how it makes you feel and the effect it might have on your child. The ideal colours to send your child off to sleep peacefully are pale shades of pink and green.
Myth 2: It’s fine to put a TV in your child’s room
Studies show that children who watch TV in their rooms get less sleep. Research conducted at the University of Haifa examined 444 school pupils aged 14 who were asked about their sleep habits and use of computers and television. It was discovered that children with TVs in their room went to sleep half an hour later than those without a TV, while waking up at the same time in the morning, effectively losing 30 minutes of sleep a night. Some children will also get up earlier in the morning to watch TV at the expense of sleep.
Myth 3: Wool blankets are old-fashioned and will overheat your child
Although it’s expensive, wool is actually particularly suitable for bed covers. It’s lightweight but because of its heat-regulating qualities will keep you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. It’s water repellent, useful for spills and also for wicking moisture away from your body, which helps keep the body at a more even temperature. This can help you and your child get a better night’s rest and sleep for longer. It is a natural flame retardant, having a low burning rate so it doesn’t need to be treated with chemicals, and it doesn’t get dirty easily. Washable wool fabric makes it easier to care for too so there is no longer any need to dry-clean woollen blankets.
Myth 4: It’s unusual to have an imaginary friend
New research indicates that approximately 65 per cent of young children befriend imaginary companions, and nearly one-third continue to play with them through age seven. Studies also show that children who invent friends tend to be more articulate, creative and have higher self-esteem. It’s healthy for children to have imaginary friends and it allows them to see things from other people’s perspectives.
