Back to school in UAE: Doctors say right sleep habits are crucial for children – News

Children with disrupted sleep patterns may throw tantrums, exhibit bad behavior

Doctors in the UAE say healthy sleep patterns must now be restored as most students prepare to return to school from Monday.

They stressed the importance of maintaining proper focus and energy in class, especially after a two-month break.

Dr. Rouba Manachi, a pediatrician at Prime Hospital, said: “It’s back-to-school time, and kids should prepare themselves physically and mentally. Good sleep habits are an important step in keeping kids healthy. Go to bed early and go to bed early” and sleep 9 to 12 a night Hours are important to every process in the body and help the brain store information. Proper sleep also helps their immune systems fight disease and helps maintain weight. “

The medical staff also highlighted that recent studies have shown that 60% of middle school students do not get enough sleep.

“Insufficient or poor sleep quality affects our children’s behavior and is associated with depression and anxiety,” Dr. Manachi said.

Doctors recommend following soothing bedtime routines, such as reading or taking a warm bath. They also recommend avoiding caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon and evening, and not engaging in physical activity before bed.

Dr Supriya Sundaram, Consultant in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said: “During the holidays, children often lose their day and night routine. This is especially prolonged in the current situation. Many children are addicted to their phones or tablets, Often going to bed later and later, causing them to wake up later in the day. Complete loss of school routine.”

“This irregular timed reset takes at least a week after the holidays. A child usually needs at least six to seven hours of sleep. So ask children to go to bed early so they can get up early. Otherwise, they won’t be able to get pre-school Minimum required sleep time.”

Health care professionals reiterate that getting enough sleep is also critical when it comes to your child’s health. Reading stories, singing songs, or chatting together can help develop proper sleep habits for the school year.

Dr Abhijeet Trivedi, Specialist in Paediatrics and Neonatology at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, said: “Research consistently shows that putting children to bed early is good for their physical, emotional and cognitive development. Getting enough sleep makes children healthier and enhances their memory.”

Children who go to bed early are also less likely to wake up in the middle of the night or early morning, Dr. Trivedi said. Those who go to bed late may struggle more at bedtime, throw tantrums, or exhibit other bad behaviors.

“Early bedtime and a consistent bedtime builds emotional security for your child, which helps him stay calm.”

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Some tips for getting kids a good night’s sleep before returning to school include:

1. Meal times need to go back to the original schedule. Get the kids to have an early dinner so they can go to bed earlier.

2. Reduce show time. Children should not be allowed to use electronic devices such as tags and phones after 7pm, so they have an hour or so before bedtime without devices.

3.They also need to get organized so that stress levels are reduced on the first day of school. It would be helpful to have their books, clothes and bags ready.

4. Health and cleanliness should be focused on the week before school reopens, as this will help them sleep better.