Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Different Bedtimes for Different Ages | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
I have an 8-year-old, 6-year-old, and 4½-year-old, my question is should they all have different bedtimes or be put to bed around the same time?— Idon'tknow | | | ANSWER |
November 29, 2001 | | | Dear Idon'tknow,
I think that for practical as well as child-development reasons it's sensible for children of different ages to have different bedtimes. Practically speaking, unless your children sleep in the same room, it's hard to give them all attention at bedtime when they all go to bed at the same time. Young children need soothing bedtime routines to help them settle down to sleep. That doesn't mean that you have to spend a long time with each child, but a few minutes can be very helpful. You might sing one song, tell one story, or read one short picture book. Some children also say prayers, and then it's time for a goodnight kiss before you leave the room. Granted, some children require more settling down than others.
Sleep requirements vary from child to child. A reasonable bedtime is early enough so that the child wakes up in the morning at the necessary time, well rested and not still sleepy. Usually, older children need less than younger ones, at least until they hit adolescence, when they tend to need more again. It's nice if older children can stay up a bit later than younger ones, because it gives the children something to look forward to (a later bedtime that is) as they grow up. Growing up involves accepting more and more responsibility, so it's good to have some privileges to go with that, too.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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