Opportunity knocks. Research,

internships, study abroad, and

service learning are built into

nearly all of Grand Valley's 200+

areas of study. These, along with

our liberal education foundation

that fosters critical thinking,

creative problem solving, and

cultural understanding, prepare

School Year Sleep

you well to answer the call of a

rewarding career and life.

Tips for helping your child transition
to a healthy sleep schedule.

F

or many families, Labor Day signi-
the child calm down and relax prior to fall-
fies the end of summer and launch
ing asleep.
of a new school year, which can be
• Remember sleep hygiene. Sleep
a difficult adjustment for children, espe-
hygiene, created by the National Sleep
cially those who've spent the
Foundation, is a variety of dif-
majority of summer without
ferent practices that are neces-
the structured sleep schedule
sary to have normal, quality,
they may have during the
nighttime sleep and full daytime
school months. Getting a solid
alertness, which should be incor-
amount of sleep every night
porated into anyone's bedtime
is very important for growing
routine. These practices include
adolescents.
maintaining a regular wake and
Sufficient sleep is particu-
sleep pattern seven days a week
larly necessary for the brain
and avoiding caffeine, large
development of children. Sleep
meals and vigorous exercise too
Beth Go Idman
not only provides rest for the
close to bedtime.
MD, M PH
brain, but also helps form new
• Put away the screens.
neuroconnections, which are
Children spend hours focused
crucial for development and growth.
on television, computer, tablet and gaming
Transitioning your child to a healthy
screens; the stimulation from which makes
sleep schedule prior to the night before that it harder to fall asleep. In the last hour or
first day of school will make the return to
two before bed, put away all screens and
school easier on the whole family. Not only
electronics that function with a glow.
will a well-rested child perform better in
Get your child's input. As kids get older,
school, adequate sleep also makes for less
asking and implementing what relaxes
chaotic and stressful mornings.
them is an easy way to encourage normal
If your child needs help getting on a
sleep. This could be as easy as incorporat-
sleep schedule that aligns with school
ing a nightlight or blackout shades into
hours, here are a few tips:
a room. For young adults, this can range
• Start transitioning back to your
from mellow music to activities like read-
family's school-year routines, including
ing or listening to an audio book.
bedtime. If your kids have gotten into the
Identify problems interfering with
habit of staying up later during the sum-
sleep. Physical issues, psychological issues
mer, start getting them into bed 15 minutes or a need for more physical activity could all
earlier each night. This can help ease them
be factors impacting a child's ability to fall or
back into the routine.
stay asleep. In addition, daytime napping in
• Start consistent bedtimes at an early
older children may lead to sleep problems
age. Setting fixed bedtimes helps regulate
in the evening. If your child has uncom-
when kids prepare to go to sleep.
mon feelings or pains, consult your doc-
• Establish a routine. If your child
tor. Most sleep issues are entirely treatable
doesn't have a bedtime routine, start creat-
with the right combination of advisement
ing it now. The most practical bedtime
and, sometimes, medical intervention.
rituals come as a series of steps taken
regularly each night, such as bath time,
Dr. Beth Goldman, M.D., M.P.H., is a medical
brushing teeth and story time. Following
director of Behavioral Health at Blue Cross
the same steps in order every night helps
Blue Shield of Michigan.

❑

GRANDVALLEY

STATE UNIVERSITY

megepauSe

&he Musical

Book & Lyrics by Jeanie Linders

The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®

Fisher Theatre • Oct. 14-16 •

4 PERFORMAKES

onLy!

ticketmaster.com , 800-982-2787 & Fisher box office. Info: BroadwaylnDetroit.com , 313-872-1000.
-BROADWAY IP DETROIT SPONSORED BY
Groups (12+): Groups@BroadwaylnDetroit.com or call 313-871-1132.
WAR
I oi ggIan
...cr.. 40 Tony Awards'

By special license from the Owner, Jeanie Linders' company.

August 21 • 2014

39