| If you have ever felt a wave of panic when you | | | | When they eventually fall asleep their sleep is |
| drop your children off at family day care? You | | | | often restless and fitful with waking. Their |
| are not alone. Many parents are concerned about | | | | activities before a late bedtime often include |
| how happy their children are throughout the day | | | | watching TV and mischievous behaviour, both |
| and their associated behaviour. Did you know that | | | | causing unsettled sleep. |
| how parents manage their children at home has a | | | | What to do instead: Introduce an age appropriate |
| direct influence on their behaviour at family day | | | | evening routine. This will include a suitable meal |
| care? Here are three of the top influences that | | | | time, bath time and play time before a pre bed |
| could be affecting your child's behaviour. | | | | time routine of books. Encourage family time with |
| Influence One: Sending your child off for the day | | | | no TV distractions during the one and a half hours |
| without a suitable breakfast or no breakfast. Food | | | | before bed. |
| is fuel to a child's body. What they eat determines | | | | Influence Three: Eating foods that provide an |
| the capacity of their output. If your child has no | | | | unsuitable and adverse effect on a child's body. |
| food or unsuitable nutrition at breakfast, it can | | | | Research shows obesity now affects 1:4 children |
| lead to them having poor concentration with | | | | in Australia and allergies and intolerances have |
| emotional outbursts of frustration or an inability to | | | | increased 500% over the last 6 years. These |
| cope in challenging situations. They can also be | | | | preventable health issues are rapidly becoming the |
| uncoordinated and clumsy leaving them more at | | | | number one focus for our health industry funding. |
| risk of falls. | | | | What to do instead: Go back to basics. Avoid or |
| What to do instead: Avoid giving your child milk | | | | at least reduce the amount of pre packaged food |
| throughout the night. This will allow them to be | | | | that your child consumes. Buy a lunchbox suitable |
| hungrier in the morning. Ensure the foods you | | | | for presenting natural foods in. Understand your |
| offer for breakfast include protein, complex | | | | child will not starve and you can create new |
| carbohydrates, fruit, essential fats and iron. Avoid | | | | habits with their eating behaviour. It is important |
| simple sugars and processed cereals containing | | | | to know; it is not up to your child to choose what |
| preservatives. | | | | to eat, only whether to eat. It is up to responsible |
| Influence Two: Putting your child to bed too late in | | | | adults to show children how to build a strong and |
| the evening. Being overtired before going to bed | | | | healthy body for their future. |
| makes it hard for your child to settle to sleep. | | | | |