Parents are often distressed if they have an older child who doesn't sleep through the night. It is not unusual for five year olds to go through a difficult patch and there are ways to help them settle into good routines again.
Causes of Sleep Problems
Understanding the causes of sleepless nights is an important step in solving the problem. Here are some factors to consider:
- The time your child goes to bed can affect how they sleep. Children are individuals and some need less sleep than others. Putting a child to bed too early can lead to them waking in the early hours of the morning.
- Five year olds do not have the emotional maturity to handle violent television scenes and allowing them to watch this type of thing can lead to fear. Crime shows and action movies often contain scenes that stick in young minds and cause nightmares and restless nights.
- Young children are affected by their parents’ relationship. If you and your spouse are constantly bickering and fighting, your child may feel threatened and insecure and struggle to sleep because of this.
- A child’s bedroom environment can impact his sleep patterns. While this is an individual thing, consider whether curtains let in too much or too little light, if your child's bedroom backs onto a noisy area of the house and whether the temperature and humidity are comfortable.
- Medical problems can cause sleep disturbances. Look for things like ADHD, asthma and juvenile diabetes.
Addressing Sleep Problems
It is generally accepted that five year olds need an average of 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night. If they do awaken at some stage of the night, they should be able to go back to sleep without any assistance. Problems arise when they are afraid or go through to their parents’ room and demand attention. Once you have determined what is causing the restlessness, there are a number of ways to address the problem:
- If a child consistently wakes during the night or very early in the morning, consider changing his bedtime to a later hour. It may be best to do this gradually by 15 minute intervals. This gives the child time to adapt, and you the chance to determine the best time for him to go to bed.
- Nightmares and night terrors may be caused by what the child is viewing during the day. Make sure they do not have access to violent television programs, or scary computer games that may be played by an older sibling.
- A night light can be helpful in some situations.
- Young children are experts at discerning marital discord. If you and your spouse are experiencing problems, seek help and go for counseling if necessary. Don’t fight late at night or raise your voices as this can cause your child to sleep badly.
- Some children sleep better with a sibling in their room while others sleep better alone. While the size of your home and financial constraints can be limiting, do your best to provide your child with a room where they can rest peacefully and feel comfortable, warm and safe.
- Set up a bedtime routine that you both feel comfortable with. This can include a bedtime story, a special way of tucking the child into bed or a prayer for angels to be with them as they sleep.
- If a child that previously slept well starts waking during the night, it is a good idea to take them to a doctor for a check up. Children with ADHD often sleep poorly and the condition is generally only diagnosed at around five years of age. Asthma and breathing problems can cause wakefulness and elevated sugar levels in juvenile diabetes can cause bedwetting or frequent trips to the toilet.
The Do’s and Dont's of Dealing with Sleep Problems
Once you have investigated and identified the causes of your five year old sleep problems, there are a number of things you can do to help them settle into a good routine. These suggestions also apply in situations where the reason for the sleeplessness has not been identified:
- Unless a child is screaming in terror or wandering through the house, try not to pay them any attention. It is alright to check on them through a crack in the door but don’t let them see you. They need to understand that nights are for sleeping.
- Ensure that your child has everything they might need when you say goodnight. This can include a night light switched on, a glass of water or a favorite soft toy to cuddle in bed.
- Once you have determined the optimum time for your child to go to bed, maintain that as far as possible, even if away on vacation.
Sleep problems can seem to be interminable but as children grow and develop, they will learn to sleep better. With knowledge and understanding, parents can help them through difficult patches and ensure that any problems are attended to.
Resources
Sleep Requirements: A Guide for the Science-Minded Parent. Parenting Science
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
