{"id":1899,"date":"2023-04-03T14:55:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T18:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/5-surprising-benefits-of-a-bedtime-routine-for-kids\/"},"modified":"2023-04-03T14:55:45","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T18:55:45","slug":"5-surprising-benefits-of-a-bedtime-routine-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/5-surprising-benefits-of-a-bedtime-routine-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Surprising Benefits of a Bedtime Routine for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Tantrums. Incessant whining. Crying. \u201c<em>No! I don\u2019t want to go to bed!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These are often the things parents put up with many nights in their efforts to get their kids to sleep. It\u2019s a struggle that has been immortalized in popular culture, from Peter Pan to Monsters, Inc. But as fun as it may be to watch it on screen, the reality is, bedtime can be a real nightmare.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why establishing a good bedtime routine for kids is essential, not just for the child\u2019s well-being but for the parent\u2019s sanity too.<\/p>\n<p>So what can you do to get some peace and quiet at the end of the day? That\u2019s something <strong>Andrew Newman<\/strong>, founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/consciousstories.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conscious Bedtime Stories<\/a>, is an expert at.<\/p>\n<p>In the Little Human\u2019s <em>Bedtime Connection Rituals<\/em> program by Mindvalley, he shares how an ideal bedtime routine for kids can foster a conscious connection between you and your child. Because the thing is, we all know how important getting quality rest is. But it\u2019ll take some effort on your part, as the parent, to get there.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BvsXE_3ldxT\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-a-bedtime-routine-for-kids-important\">Why Is a Bedtime Routine for Kids Important?<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that, as a society, we\u2019re sleeping less and less. New-fangled gadgets with blue lights and late-night Netflix binges are just a few culprits.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s one challenging thing all parents face, it\u2019s a cranky kid in the morning. And the kid can\u2019t be blamed, really, because even adults wake up on the wrong side of the bed when they don\u2019t get their beauty sleep.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/childrens-anxiety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Children\u2019s anxiety<\/a> and inconsistent sleep schedules make it hard for them to get a good night\u2019s sleep. This, as you might expect, can cause a lot of problems.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a ton of research out there to support this. One <a href=\"https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/story\/2017\/03\/study-flags-later-risks-for-sleep-deprived-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a>, in particular, found that \u201c<em>children who get an insufficient amount of sleep in their preschool and early school-aged years have a higher risk of poor neurobehavioral function at around age 7<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The great thing is, a bedtime routine can help your child wind down for the night. It\u2019s predictable. It\u2019s consistent. And according to Andrew, it sets them up for how the next day\u2019s going to be.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-little-known-benefits-of-a-bedtime-routine-for-kids\">5 Little-Known Benefits of a Bedtime Routine for Kids<\/h2>\n<p>\u201c<em>Everything you do, you do better with a good night\u2019s sleep<\/em>,\u201d as <strong>Dr. Michael Breus<\/strong>, better known as The Sleep Doctor, says. And with good reason.<\/p>\n<p>Having a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/sleep-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sleep schedule<\/a> has many benefits, the most obvious being an increase in sleep quality and a decrease in morning grumpiness. But what about the ones that aren\u2019t so obvious?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So let\u2019s take a look at five surprising, science-backed benefits of sticking to a nightly routine:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-improves-emotional-regulation\">1. Improves emotional regulation<\/h3>\n<p>When we, as parents, are well-rested, we tend to be in better moods. The same goes for our children.<\/p>\n<p>Research shows that a good bedtime routine for kids can help them learn how to regulate their emotions and feel more in control of their feelings. Case in point:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/28366345\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> published in <em>Sleep Medicine<\/em> found that with a nightly ritual, the children had more positive moods in the morning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Another <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24127471\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> found there was \u201cincreased emotional and behavioral difficulties\u201d for the children who didn\u2019t have a regular bedtime or had changes in their schedules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When a child knows what to expect, like reading a book or taking a bath, they\u2019ll feel more secure. This helps them feel more in control and confident in their environment, which can improve their emotional health in the long run.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-boosts-language-development\">2. Boosts language development<\/h3>\n<p>Think back to when you were young and your parents would read a book to you before bed\u2014<em>Oh, the Places You\u2019ll Go!<\/em>, <em>Where the Wild Things Are<\/em>, <em>Harold and the Purple Crayon<\/em>, and countless others.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While they may just be a few simple pages of beautifully imagined tales, bedtime stories for kids are a great way to expose them to language.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3134391\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> on language-based bedtime routines, the researchers found that singing, reading, and storytelling before sleep can have a significant impact on a child\u2019s language abilities and vocabulary.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, reading with your child can allow you to ask questions, discuss the story, and pique their creativity. And it can also encourage a love of learning and reading, which can benefit them academically.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-increases-academic-performance\">3. Increases academic performance<\/h3>\n<p>A consistent nighttime routine equals a good night\u2019s rest. Proper sleep equals brain development and functioning. And that translates to better concentration and focus, which can help improve their academic performance.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, researchers at McGill University and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal found a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcgill.ca\/newsroom\/channels\/news\/it%E2%80%99s-all-good-night%E2%80%99s-sleep-240986\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">link between better sleep quality and higher grades<\/a>. Their results show that kids who got a good night\u2019s sleep did better in math and languages.<\/p>\n<p>As Dr. Breus says, \u201c<em>You can last three days without water, thirty days without food\u2026 You can last seven days without sleep<\/em>.\u201d So make sure your child gets some.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-enhances-creativity\">4. Enhances creativity<\/h3>\n<p>Imagination is the beginning of creation, according to playwright George Bernard Shaw. And he\u2019s on point.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Drawing, storytelling, or imaginative play can stimulate their minds and boost their creativity. Plenty of research has shown it, including a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2022\/01\/creativity-hotspot-just-before-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2022 study<\/a> that shows how vital sleep is to creative performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why, in the Little Human\u2019s <em>Bedtime Connection Rituals<\/em> program, Andrew suggests parents spend the last 20 minutes of the day snuggled in bed, connecting with their children over a great story.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-strengthens-parent-child-bonding\">5. Strengthens parent-child bonding<\/h3>\n<p>We sometimes go to sleep with unresolved issues from the day, whether it be something that happened at work or a spat with our partner. And when we wake up the next morning, those issues are still there.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why Andrew has this saying: \u201c<em>The last 20 minutes of the day actually belong to tomorrow<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>If we want tomorrow morning to start off great, we can set that up as we go to sleep<\/em>,\u201d he says. \u201c<em>We want to clear out the difficult moments for us as adults, [and] we want to model that in a way that our kids are getting the same experience<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/01488376.2014.930946?journalCode=wssr20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research study<\/a> suggests that regular nighttime routines can help reduce stress for parents. In turn, it can positively affect their child\u2019s emotions, behavior, and readiness to learn.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bedtime-dos-and-don-ts\">Bedtime Dos and Don\u2019ts<\/h2>\n<p>A very common question among parents is, \u201c<em>How do I establish a bedtime routine for my child?<\/em>\u201d There are some dos and don\u2019ts to keep in mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few to help you establish one for your child:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DO be consistent<\/strong>, even on weekends. Children thrive on routine and structure. So having a regular sleep and wake-up schedule helps regulate their body clock and improves their overall well-being.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DO establish clear <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/boundaries-in-relationships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>boundaries<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> This includes setting limits on activities before, such as no screen time or rough play. A bedtime routine chart for kids is a great way to define what\u2019s expected of them before going to bed, such as brushing their teeth and putting away toys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DO create a calm, soothing environment.<\/strong> You can create this ambiance with soft lighting and white noise, as well as setting the thermostat to the cool, comfortable temperature of around 65-70\u00b0F.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DON\u2019T use any gadgets.<\/strong> The blue light from electronic devices can suppress the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. So if they\u2019re on their iPad or phone, it can make it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DON\u2019T engage in stimulating activities<\/strong>, like watching TV, playing video games, or listening to loud music. This can overstimulate your child\u2019s nervous system, making it harder for them to doze off. Instead, consider doing <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/sleep-meditation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meditation<\/a> or bedtime yoga for kids to wind them down.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>DON\u2019T give any caffeine or sugar before going to bed.<\/strong> With Starbucks on almost every corner and sugar in everything, it\u2019s not uncommon for teens and kids to get access to both. However, help them understand why these substances should be avoided, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep in mind, bedtime routines for toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adolescents can vary. Their needs really depend on their age and personalities.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CMxa7JQrjb6\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bedtime-routine-for-kids-3-tips-from-mindvalley-experts\">Bedtime Routine for Kids: 3 Tips From Mindvalley Experts<\/h2>\n<p>Putting your kids to sleep is one <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/parenting-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">parenting skill<\/a> to master. And given that Andrew suggested spending 20 minutes at the end of each day getting ready for bed, it doesn\u2019t seem like a lot of time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So what\u2019s the best bedtime routine? While \u201cbest\u201d is quite subjective, he does have three ritual pillars you can do that can best serve your child\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-snuggling\">1. Snuggling<\/h3>\n<p>Every parent knows how wonderful it is to hug and cuddle with their child. Dr. Breus, who\u2019s also the trainer of Mindvalley\u2019s <em>The Mastery of Sleep<\/em> Quest, explains there are plenty of benefits to it, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Relieving stress and anxiety,<\/li>\n<li>Lowering blood pressure,<\/li>\n<li>Strengthening the immune system,<\/li>\n<li>Alleviating pain, and\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Strengthening relationships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to Virginia Satir, a renowned family therapist, we need four hugs a day to survive, eight to maintain, and 12 to thrive. So if you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/sleep-tips-new-parents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new parent<\/a> or one who\u2019s been around for a while, this is a great \u201ctrick\u201d to get your kids to sleep\u2026 and perhaps, even yourself.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-breathing\">2. Breathing<\/h3>\n<p>Breathing exercises are a great way to calm the mind and body, especially before bed. Andrew suggests doing a simple one with your kid. Here\u2019s how it goes:<\/p>\n<p>Take three deep breaths, and with each, say:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I breathe for me,<\/li>\n<li>I breathe for you, and<\/li>\n<li>I breathe for us and all that surrounds us.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This can help both of you relax. And if you want to level up the experience, incorporate calming scents, like lavender or chamomile, with an aromatherapy diffuser.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-gratitude\">3. Gratitude<\/h3>\n<p>This is a tool that so many people practice. And if you\u2019re familiar with it, it\u2019s all about bringing yourself and your child into the moment.<\/p>\n<p>There are many ways to practice it\u2014gratitude journals or going around the dinner table and saying what you\u2019re most appreciative of, for instance.<\/p>\n<p>What does Andrew do? He likes to check in with his family with these questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What are you thankful for?<\/li>\n<li>Who are you thankful for?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another thing he suggests is expressing your love and appreciation for your child as you\u2019re putting them to bed. Tell them, \u201c<em>I love you<\/em>,\u201d \u201c<em>I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re here<\/em>,\u201d and \u201c<em>You are enough<\/em>,\u201d which reinforces positive beliefs and can help boost their confidence and self-esteem.<\/p>\n<p>And get this: even if they\u2019re asleep, their brain can still pick up what you\u2019re saying. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41562-018-0502-5.epdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019 study<\/a> published in <em>Nature Human Behavior<\/em> found that even though the participants were asleep, their brain activity picked up on the meaningful phrases that were being played rather than the meaningless ones.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rest-up-level-up\">Rest Up, Level Up<\/h2>\n<p>Sleep isn\u2019t just about feeling rested in the morning\u2014it\u2019s an essential part of your child\u2019s growth. And creating a bedtime routine that works for you and your child can help set you both up for success in all areas of your lives.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like more pointers on sleep (for your child or yourself), you can find guidance from Andrew Newman and Dr. Michael Breus at Mindvalley. When you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/signup\/?utm_source=blog_inline_link&amp;utm_campaign=evergreen_freemium&amp;utm_medium=end_of_article&amp;otag=mv_blog_freemium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>sign up for a free Mindalley account<\/strong><\/a>, you can access the first few lessons of Dr. Breus\u2019 <strong><em>The Mastery of Sleep<\/em> Quest<\/strong>. (The <strong>Little Humans<\/strong> program is available for Mindvalley Members.)<\/p>\n<p>As you go to sleep tonight with your little one, remember to snuggle, breathe, and be grateful so you can, as Andrew says, \u201c<em>sleep with a full heart<\/em>.\u201d Good night, dear one, and sleep tight.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tantrums. Incessant whining. Crying. \u201cNo! I don\u2019t want to go to bed!\u201d These are often the things parents put up with many nights in their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-happiness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1899"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}