Sleeping children
Hi Leslie,
I’m a pediatric occupational therapist and sensory specialist with expertise on the impact of technology on child development, and I would like to comment on sensory and motor based strategies to get children on a sleep schedule.
Children require 3-4 hour per day of rough and tumble play to meet milestones for development. At 8 hours average per day combined technology use, children are not getting the movement, touch and human connection required to grow and succeed. Studies have shown TV, video games and internet overuse by children is disturbing sleep cycles.
In order to sleep properly at night, children should not use more than 1-2 hour per day of combined technology, get 3-4 hour per day of rough and tumble play (movement), eat dinner at the dining table with no TV (human connection), and have one half hour at night cuddling with parent(s) on bed reading books, talking, playing (touch).
Let me know if you would like to have an interview, or if you would like me to answer specific questions on this subject.
Have a GREAT day!
Sincerely,
Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT, Approved Provider AOTA
CEO Zone’in Programs Inc.
6840 Seaview Rd.
Sechelt, BC V0N3A4
604-885-0986 office, 604-885-0389 fax
email crowan@zonein.ca
website www.zonein.ca