Time to Learn

When is the right time to teach? Whether you are a stay at home parent, working parent, or a caregiver, it isn't always easy to set out time to teach. In addition to finding the time, it's choosing the right time for optimum learning. Every kid is different, but here are the times you shouldn't expect optimum learning:

• 30 minutes before a nap

• 30 minutes before bedtime

• Within 15 minutes of waking up in the morning

These are times that your child may be more tired that they are letting on or than you realize, even if they seem wide awake. Even if they do the work, they may be agitated easier and more likely to make common mistakes that will only discourage them in learning. In addition, if you find you are in a great learning streak and you started that closely before bedtime or nap, you miss out on a great momentum that will end up with them tiring out or being too wound to get good rest afterwards.

Speaking of good rest, make sure your child gets it. This is not where I tell you how to raise your child, but your child needs as much sleep as they can get. Many families let their kids be awake as long as they are with a small nap or occasional nap. It is vital for developing brains.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, and a lot of other reputable sites have very similar guidelines to child sleep recommendations. This is from the AAP:

• Infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

• Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

• Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

• Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

• Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

Improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and emotional regulation are improved significantly in children that get their ecommended sleep.

My boys go to bed at 7pm and get up at 7am. After lunch, they use the restroom and take a nap that can range from 1 hour to 2.5 hours. Sometimes things happen and they miss a nap or take a short one much later in the day. Other than that, we stay consistent without being strict. If we get home late or the day starts early, it's not the end of the world and we go back to normal the following day.

With this consistency, it is easy to see the significant change in their function and behavior when the sleep is deprived. They are more likely to have selective hearing or become more agitated. Think about your everyday life, how is your work and everyday affected by lack of sleep? Why would you think your child would be any different? Great sleep brings great results!

Not sure when to try teaching? Try this learning time: when your child wakes up from a nap, give them a snack and a drink. Bring out the learning materials you plan on using and sit down with your child. If your child has troubles sitting still for lessons this is a great time to take advantage of their stillness. You can use certain snacks as reward and even use for your lessons. Scrabble Cheeze-Its, alphabet cookies, and fruit snacks are great for learning letters, spelling and colors. M&M candies and Skittles are also great for added incentive to a snack for colors and are great with math lessons too.

Not around for post nap time? Find the time when your child is most content during your time with them. Snacks can still be a great tool to get them still and focused if needed.

What time works best for your kid? When are you the most productive? Let me know!