It is important to assess a child’s sleep patterns as part of their overall health assessment. Sleep is vital for physical and mental development in children, and disruptions to sleep can have significant consequences.
There are different ways to assess a child’s sleep patterns. One way is to ask the parents or caregivers about the child’s sleep habits. Another way is to observe the child during wakeful periods and look for signs of fatigue or irritability.
The following are some questions that can be used to assess a child’s sleep patterns:
-How many hours does the child typically sleep per night?
– Does the child have regular bedtime and wake times?
– Does the child have difficulty falling asleep?
– Does the child wake up frequently during the night?
– Does the child have nightmares or night terrors?
– Does the child sleepwalk?
– Does the child grind their teeth at night?
– Is the child’s bedroom environment conducive to good sleep (e.g., dark, quiet, comfortable)?
Based on the answers to these questions, a decision can be made about whether or not the child’s sleep patterns are developmentally appropriate and if there are any areas of concern. If there are concerns, further assessment and intervention may be necessary.
Toddlers are copycats and will follow their parents’ example. This implies that if they witness their parents taking care of themselves (exercise, eat healthily, etc.), they will do the same. Toddlers think that maintaining good health means eating properly, exercising, and keeping clean (Phillips, 1980).
The knowledge of health and health maintenance that preschool-age children have is increasing, but it is still heavily influenced by their parents’ behavior. Preschool-age youngsters are becoming more independent and taking on greater health care responsibilities; they are now able to maintain their dental hygiene by brushing and washing themselves independently.
They are also beginning to understand the importance of exercise, although they still need parental supervision (Phillips, 1980).
School-age children have a better understanding of health and health maintenance. They are able to perform most hygiene routines independently and are able to take on more responsibility for their health. They know the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits.
School-age children should be encouraged to eat breakfast every day and to participate in some type of physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day. It is important for school-age children to get enough sleep; they should aim for 9-11 hours of sleep every night (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2016).
School-aged children are very knowledgeable about health and disease, and they are aware of the risks associated with each (Piko & Bak, 2006). They’re concerned about their health, and many of them have a good attitude toward it.
Sleep is an important part of overall health, and many children are not getting enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends that school-aged children (6-13 years old) should get 9-11 hours of sleep per night. However, research shows that most school-aged children are only getting about 7 hours of sleep per night (Dahl, 2006).
There are many reasons why children may not be getting enough sleep. Some children have difficulty falling asleep due to anxiety or excitement about the next day. Other children have trouble staying asleep throughout the night. Sleep problems can also be caused by medical conditions such as ADHD or insomnia. If a child is not getting enough sleep, it can lead to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and depression (Dahl, 2006).
It is important for children to get enough sleep in order to maintain their health. There are many ways to help children get the Sleep they need. Some tips include:
-Encourage a regular bedtime routine including winding down for 30 minutes before sleep
-Limit screen time before bed
-Create a calm and relaxed environment in the bedroom
-Make sure the child’s bedroom is dark and quiet
-Encourage the child to avoid caffeine before bed
If you are concerned that your child is not getting enough sleep, talk to your child’s doctor. The doctor can help you determine if there is a medical reason for the sleep problems and recommend treatment options.
Toddlers are scared of nurses and doctors, probably as a result of unpleasant experiences like injections. Children under the age of three often do not want to visit the doctor (Phillips, 1980). When it comes to personal hygiene, toddlers and their parents can be extremely inconsistent, resulting in tooth decay and other illnesses caused by poor hand washing. Children at this age are becoming more self-reliant and will want to participate in more activities on their own; they may therefore not wash as thoroughly.
It is important to assess a child’s functional health patterns in order to get a better understanding of how they are growing and developing. Sleep, nutrition, elimination, activity/exercise, and sensory-perception are all important areas to focus on when assessing a child’s functional health patterns.
Sleep: It is recommended that toddlers get 12-14 hours of sleep per day and preschoolers should get 10-12 hours of sleep per day (National Sleep Foundation, 2015). A Toddler who is not getting enough sleep may be irritable and have difficulty focusing. A Preschooler who is not getting enough sleep may have trouble paying attention and be grumpy.
The health expert will discover that some of the anticipated outcomes are comparable in toddlers through school-aged children. The most similar patterns of sleep and rest can be seen throughout a child’s growth. Between the ages of eighteen months and twelve years, a kid’s required hours of sleep do not substantially differ (Edelman, 2014). Routines, customs, and feelings of security establish children up to go to bed on their own in the school-aged years.
However, a toddler may need assistance in the form of being read to or rocked to sleep (Edelman, 2014). The amount of time spent napping also decreases as the child grows older. A two year old will take an average of two naps per day while a school-aged child will only nap once, if at all (Edelman, 2014).
There are a few functional health patterns that begin to develop in early childhood and continue throughout the lifespan. Sleep and rest, elimination, nutrition, activity/exercise and coping are five functional health patterns that provide a foundation for assessment across the lifespan (Edelman, 2014). Sleep and rest are important for overall physical and mental well-being.
Elimination provides information about digestive function and bowel/bladder health. Nutrition is important for growth and development, as well as overall health and wellness. Activity/exercise provides information about the child’s level of fitness and coordination. Coping assesses the child’s ability to deal with stressors in their environment (Edelman, 2014).
It is important to assess all five of these functional health patterns when working with children of any age. Sleep and rest, elimination, nutrition, activity/exercise and coping are all interconnected and can impact one another. For example, if a child is not getting enough sleep at night, they may have difficulty concentrating in school or be more prone to accidents due to lack of coordination (Edelman, 2014).
Conversely, if a child is not eating a balanced diet, they may have difficulty sleeping or be more susceptible to illness (Edelman, 2014). It is important to assess all five of these functional health patterns in order to get a complete picture of the child’s health and well-being.
The Sleep and Rest pattern assessment for children includes questions about the child’s sleep habits, including how many hours of sleep they get per night, how easily they fall asleep and whether or not they have nightmares or night terrors. The Elimination pattern assessment for children asks questions about the child’s bowel and bladder function, including how often they have a bowel movement and whether or not they are having any problems with urination. The Nutrition pattern assessment for children asks questions about the child’s diet, including what they typically eat in a day and whether or not they have any food allergies.
The Activity/Exercise pattern assessment for children asks questions about the child’s level of physical activity and exercise, including how often they participate in activities and whether or not they have any medical conditions that limit their ability to be active. The Coping pattern assessment for children asks questions about the child’s ability to deal with stressors in their environment, including how they handle changes in routine and whether or not they have any fears or worries.
