Sleepy?

I'm on a kick about sleep.

This is a nation that doesn't know how to turn off the spigot of media... computer games, television, DVDs, Facebook, MySpace, Ipods, Iphones....  there's so much to see, listen, and do that we forget to take care of our brain.

Children are so vulnerable.  Yesterday in a 2nd grade classroom I did an informal survey on what time kids went to sleep the night before.  The answers ranged from 730 to midnight.  20% complained that loud music in or near their home kept them from falling asleep.

I hadn't thought about it for a long time... but that made me remember my dad playing the tv so loud I couldn't sleep.  He had hearing loss... and we had thin walls.  I remember begging him to turn it off so I could sleep.  

Studies have proven that for every  hour of sleep they lose, their grades slip at least a letter grade.  Their behavior gets worse.  Believe it or not, sleep-deprived kids actually get more hyper.  And it makes ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder)even worse.  

Elementary age children need at least 10 hours of sleep a night.  For most kids that means betime should be no later than 830.   Since children in chronic sleep shortages can't always tell that how they feel is related to sleep deprivation, rely on these easy ways to tell if your child (or you!) are sleep deprived:

*as soon as he or she is riding in a car for more that 10-15 minutes, they fall asleep.

*they fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down

*they need an alarm clock or a person to physically wake them up in the morning.

That's right - when we're getting enough sleep, we actually wake up, on time, without help!

Want to read more?  Check out "Mrs. Stine's Favorite Links" on the right sidebar for great articles on children & sleep.

First Day Done

We're off to a smooth start the first day of school, with a minimum of tears...

Students are learning new procedures, refreshing on the rules, and getting started with the daily routines of listening, participating, and  learning.  

I think we'll all be tired tonight... I was ready for a nap by lunchtime!

Tomorrow I will meet classes for the first time this year.  I am looking forward to the Connect schedule change (4th grade goes first, then Kindergarten, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, then 5th).  Change keeps things interesting.  

We will begin with self-awareness activities in the upper grades.  I gave a lot of thought this summer to what our kids need.  I plan to guide our kids in focusing on their inner selves so they may think (and act) more reflectively.  Perhaps it will help them balance all the messages that bombard them about clothes, popularity, what's "cool", who's "in".  

The lower grades will be introduced to the self awareness theme in a lighter tone - beginning with fun stretching & relaxation moves, then a brief Power Point presentation to introduce them to the role of the school guidance counselor and character education.  We will finish with a fun "Questions" game where students will share briefly about themselves, and get a chance to do some humourous activities to lighten the mood.

Back to School Time

On the cool mornings the breeze is carrying hints of fall.  It's exciting!  The cooler air invites us all to come outside and run around... throw a football...  wear our jackets... but wait!  It's only August!

I'm getting ahead of myself.  Forgive me!  I am excited, though, to be starting my 5th year at East.  Check in with the blog regularly so you will know the latest happenings in Guidance.  

In the first few weeks in Guidance Connect activities will focus on students' personal goals. 3-5 students will be guided in the processes of self improvement and monitor their progress throughout the year.  K-2 students will learn to identify simple things they want to improve through fun action-based games.

Welcome back!  

Mrs. Stine