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Blog

Why Sleep is more than just quiet time

6/18/2019

1 Comment

 
One sheep… Two sheep…. 3 sheep…

Putting your child to sleep can definitely add some much-needed quiet time, however, obviously the concept of a child getting rest isn’t to benefit the parents. Sleep can help children fight obesity, avoid colds, and aide in having success in school. There is an ongoing public health goal to get more sleep both for children and adults. When kids get the sleep they need, they may have a lower risk of becoming overweight and developing diabetes as well as fewer learning problems and attention issues. Sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise. It's when the body repackages neurotransmitters, chemicals that enable brain cells to communicate. And experts have recently been able to demonstrate that sleep allows brain cells to "take out the trash" each night, flushing out disease-causing toxins.

1)Sleep Promotes Growth
a. I am sure there are mornings where you wake up, and you strongly believe your child has gotten bigger. Well that is because it is true. Growth hormone is most strongly secreted during deep sleep. By our own human nature, babies spend about 50% of the time in this deep sleep, which is considered to be essential for adequate growth.
2)Sleep Affects Weight
a. Getting too little of sleep can cause obesity as early as infancy. By parents understanding the difference between children eating because they’re hungry, rather than using it as a soothing tool, swaddling and swinging can put a baby to sleep. Thus, the baby will not gain unnecessary weight. Worn out children eat differently then well-rested children. They crave more carbs, or higher-fat foods.
3)Sleep Fights Germs
a. During sleep, children (and adults) also produce proteins known as cytokines, which the body relies on to fight infection, illness, and stress. Therefore, the less sleep you get, the less cytokines you produce. It's been found that adults who sleep fewer than seven hours per night are almost three times more likely to develop a cold when exposed to that virus than those who sleep eight or more hours.
4)Sleep Increases Attention Span
a. Children who consistently sleep fewer than ten hours a night before age 3 are three times more likely to have hyperactivity and impulsivity problems by age 6. Research has shown that adding as little as 27 minutes of extra sleep per night makes it easier for them to manage their moods and impulses so they can focus on schoolwork. It is a pretty easy concept that the more rested you are, the easier it is for you to stay focused on a task.
5)Sleep Boosts Learning
a. Newborn babies are constantly learning, even when they are sleeping. Although they look so peaceful and cozy, their brain is making millions of connections all while sleeping. Sleep aids learning in kids of all ages, and education experts are finding that naps have a particular magic. Neuroscientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst taught a group of 40 preschoolers a game similar to Memory. Then the kids took a nap (averaging 77 minutes) one week and stayed awake the other week. When they stayed awake, they forgot 15 percent of what they'd learned, but when they napped they retained everything. The kids scored better on the game not only after they'd just woken up but the next day too.
​
Develop a routine and a time that children need to go to sleep. For example, bath, brush teeth, read a story, then lights out. Then you can set the stage, things like temperature, fan, night light, etc. Do all this, so that your child knows it is time to recharge the batteries and get some sleep!
1 Comment

The Best summer activities

6/6/2019

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​I can remember it just like Yesterday. Playing soccer with my friends in the front yard as the sun begins to set. The warm air is cooled by a light breeze and the tree branches shimmer ever so slightly. The sprinklers turn on, but that doesn’t stop us from playing… it only made the competition that much more intense. After each goal a belly slide through the sprinkler sufficed as an appropriate and jubilant celebration. Oh Summer days… how we love you.
                The best activities for children I can think of for Summer:
  1. A sprinkler system can be a water park of fun for your kids, as well as water your grass. On a hot Summer’s day, it only makes sense to run around and be active with neighborhood friends. Water balloons, sprinklers, super soakers, you name it. This always rallied all the kids in the neighborhood to meet up for a fun day. This is also an inexpensive way to keep your kids and their friends busy for the day!
  2. Visit the Beach/Pool! Who doesn’t love a good beach/pool day? Frisbee, paddle ball, beach ball, volleyball, picnic, you can do it all! This is a great opportunity for family bonding. Also, this can be a great day if your children are learning to swim! Swimming is a big goal to achieve so exposing your children to the beach, and pools, and aiding them in developing that school can be very important to their development!
  3. Ride Bikes: There is nothing like the thrill of feeling the wind fly past you as you first learn to ride a bike. Riding in your neighborhood or a local park is always a fun activity for the entire family. Biking keeps you active, as well as different way of exercising outside of walking and running. Biking is also a big milestone for children, so looking to develop that skill of balance and steering can be a fun goal to try to achieve this Summer!
  4. Hiking: Being out in nature or at a park is extremely important, refreshing, and FUN! Our outdoor environment can help children in learning about our ecosystem such as ponds, trees, bugs, and so on. This is also another way to remain active while exploring the world around us.
  5. Lastly, Sidewalk Chalk Murals: Look to enjoy activities that bring out the creative side in your children. Drawing and coloring monsters, trucks, animals, etc. on the sidewalk can be a fun way to develop writing and drawing skills such as holding a writing utensil or critically thinking about what things look like.
There are so many creative and fun activities to do over the Summer with your children. Sometimes, just letting their imaginations run wild with very simple activities can create the most fun! Most importantly, spend time with one another! Share those Summer moments that many of us ever fail to forget. 
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    Blake Kraussel
    Director of Administration and Human Resources

    Brody Kraussel
    Chief of Marketing and Development

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  • Home
    • About Us
  • Locations
    • Kids Connection Chapman >
      • Programs
      • Calendar
      • 4K
      • Newsletter
      • Fee Schedule
      • Facebook
    • Kids Connection Rivercrest >
      • Programs
      • Calendar
      • 4K
      • Newsletter
      • Fee Schedule
      • Facebook
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us: KC1
    • Contact Us: KC2
  • Enroll
  • Career Opportunities
  • Curriculum
  • Menu
  • More
    • Blog
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
    • Parent Handbook
    • Merchandise