''Calm kids down'' before bed time
19/11/2008
Parents hoping to get their children to bed in good time must allow a quiet time for them to relax before nodding off.
James Lehman, a behavioural therapist behind the book Empowering Parents, told Minti that "mellowness and simplicity" should be gained through TV or DVDs, with a ban on video gaming or computer time for half an hour before bed as it stimulates the mind.
Parents could help the mood by not doing anything themselves, thus encouraging the same attitude from their children.
Mr Lehman added that kids should also be allowed to set their own alarm clock, as the responsibility would encourage them to follow a stricter ritual of sleep.
He added: "This is basic behavioural training and it''s effective in getting kids into the routine of waking up in the morning."
According to the American Sleep Foundation, children between the ages of five and 12 should get ten to 11 hours of sleep each evening, particularly in light of increased demand from school activities.
